Mini-Reviews: Falling, Flirting, Mission, Regrettable

Leave a comment

Cara Bastone, Can’t Help Falling and Flirting with Forever

I really adored Bastone’s Just a Heartbeat Away and couldn’t resist jumping into the sequels! Can’t Help Falling follows Seb’s best friend, Tyler, and Via’s foster sister, Fin (short for Serafine). Tyler is super into Fin, but when he asks her out, she turns him down harshly, causing him to pull away from their friend group. A few months later, though, Tyler needs Fin’s help when he becomes the legal guardian of his teenage half-sister, Kylie. And in Flirting with Forever, Seb and Tyler’s friend Mary finds romance with the socially awkward John Modesto-Whitford, who inadvertently insults her on their first date but gradually wins her over. I enjoyed both of these books a lot, mostly because the characters are so well-defined and nuanced. The men, in particular, feel believable as people (in contrast to my earlier complaint about too-perfect heroes). The writing style is a bit clumsy at times, but in my opinion the books have enough substance and heart to make up for that. I’m definitely planning to seek out more by Bastone!

Lois McMaster Bujold, Penric’s Mission

Penric is bound for Cedonia in a somewhat unofficial capacity; he’s tasked with delivering secret documents to a powerful general. But upon arrival, he’s immediately captured, injured, and imprisoned. When he finally escapes with Desdemona’s help, it’s just in time to hear that the general has been arrested for treason and blinded as punishment. Despite the fact that it’s not part of his mission, Penric decides to try and heal the general’s eyes—and grows closer to Nikys, the general’s sister, in the process. This series continues to delight, and this novella may be my favorite so far, with its combination of political intrigue and a fair bit of romance. Not everything is resolved, but I think the next installment of the series will continue to follow this adventure and perhaps provide some resolution. Can’t wait to continue!

Jennie Goutet, A Regrettable Proposal

Stratford Tunstall has just inherited the estate and title of the Earl of Worthing. He is dismayed to learn that a valuable piece of unentailed property has been left not to him, but to the former earl’s ward, Eleanor Daventry. After a few drinks too many, Stratford decides that, since he needs a wife anyway, he should propose to Eleanor and thus regain control of the property—but she rejects his drunken and insulting proposal. She then departs for the London Season, and Stratford follows to apologize, only to realize he truly wants to marry her for love. I was predisposed to like this book—a steamless Regency romance with a bit of espionage on the side—but overall it was just okay. The uncertainty between Stratford and Eleanor drags on too long, and the spy subplot could not be less interesting or have lower stakes. That said, some of the secondary characters are a bit intriguing, and I wouldn’t mind reading the book featuring Stratford’s friend Lord Ingram, if I can find it somewhere free or cheap.

Mini-Reviews: Luck, Marriage, Only

2 Comments

Kate Clayborn, Beginner’s Luck

Six months ago, Kit Averin and her two best friends, Zoe and Greer, won the lottery. But Kit has no interest in changing her lifestyle, and despite being a brilliant materials scientist, she’s content with her job as a lab technician at the local university. When headhunter Ben Tucker comes to town to recruit her for a big manufacturing corporation, she turns him down flat. But as he persists and she gets to know him better, their growing attraction poses a threat to both Ben’s career and Kit’s hard-won sense of community. I’m a big fan of Kate Clayborn’s, and this book is no exception. It’s a contemporary romance in which the protagonists generally communicate well and act like adults, which I found extremely refreshing! I also liked that both Kit’s and Ben’s characters are revealed through their relationships, especially Ben and his dad. The resolution to the book’s central conflict is a bit glossed over, and I feel like Kit perhaps needs a bit more therapy to deal with her extreme aversion to change. But overall, I really enjoyed this book and am eager to continue with the series!

Mary Balogh, First Comes Marriage

This novel is the first in the Huxtables series, introducing a group of genteel but impoverished siblings whose destiny is changed forever when the brother, Stephen, unexpectedly inherits an earldom. Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate, brings the news that Stephen is the new Earl of Merton and proposes to take him to London and instruct him in the duties of his new station. But since Stephen is only 17, his three older sisters demand to accompany him. For various plot reasons, Elliott agrees to a marriage of convenience with the second sister, the widowed Vanessa. But what starts as mutual antagonism eventually transforms into attraction and love. I generally enjoy Balogh’s historical romances, but while this book was fine, it didn’t make much of an impression on me. Beyond the initial setup, I barely recall any plot details, and I only read the book a week ago! I am mildly curious about the other Huxtables’ romances, so I’ll probably continue the series at some point, but this one was just okay.

Jennifer Estep, Only Bad Options

In a futuristic, spacefaring society, Vesper Quill is a “lab rat” working for Kent Corporation. When she spots a design flaw in Kent’s new line of spaceships—a flaw that’s already resulted in a fatal crash—she notifies her superiors, only to be summarily fired and conscripted into the Imperial army, where she’ll most likely die in battle. But Vesper unexpectedly survives by teaming up with Kyrion Caldaren, one of the Empire’s most elite warriors. They come from two different worlds, but when an inconvenient psychic bond forms between them, they’ll have to work together to take down their enemies. This book is the equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie—not too deep, but plenty of action-packed fun. I liked the political intrigue and the reluctant attraction between Vesper and Kyrion, and I’ll probably continue with the series to find out how their story is resolved.

Mini-Reviews: Heiress, Excellent, Witch

2 Comments

Sherry Thomas, Ravishing the Heiress

In this Victorian romance, Millie Graves is the daughter of a rich tradesman who has arranged a marriage for her with the destitute Earl Fitzhugh. When Millie meets Fitz, she falls in love with him immediately, but Fitz is much less impressed, since he’s already in love with his childhood sweetheart, Isabelle. When Millie realizes this, she proposes that they wait to consummate their marriage and that once she produces an heir, he and Isabelle can pursue an extramarital relationship. But as the designated time for the consummation draws near, Fitz is surprised to find that the woman he really desires is his wife. I was pretty disappointed in this book, mostly because Fitz is such a jerk for most of it! He spends his entire honeymoon drunk, openly cheats on Millie with random women, and makes absolutely no effort to understand her thoughts or feelings. I couldn’t believe we were supposed to be rooting for this guy, and he doesn’t do nearly enough in the end to make up for his abhorrent behavior. So I definitely would not recommend this one and am hoping that the other Thomas title on my shelves, His at Night, is a lot better!

Richard Hull, Excellent Intentions

This mystery story has a common Golden Age setup: Wealthy and thoroughly unpleasant Henry Cargate is poisoned on a train. It turns out any number of people wished him ill, but only a few had the means and opportunity to obtain the poison and put it in his snuffbox, where he’d be sure to inhale it. The unusual element of the novel is that it starts at the murder trial, where the prosecutor summarizes the case against the accused (whose identity isn’t revealed till very late in the book). The narration jumps back and forth between the trial and the preceding investigation, and readers get inside the heads of the Scotland Yard inspector, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and even the judge. I liked the clever narrative structure and the reminder that catching the murderer isn’t the end of the story. However, the actual mystery isn’t particularly creative or hard to solve; the unique structure is the most interesting part of the book.

Stephanie Burgis, Wooing the Witch Queen

Queen Saskia is a witch determined to protect her people from the evil empire that’s trying to invade her country. Archduke Felix is the embodiment of that empire and the focus of Saskia’s hatred. But Felix is merely a figurehead imprisoned by his conniving relatives, who are about to escalate from torture to murder. When Felix escapes, he runs straight into Saskia’s kingdom but can’t reveal his true identity, so he applies for a job as her librarian, where romance and cozy villainy ensue. I enjoy Burgis’s writing, but this book fell a little flat for me. I think it’s because there’s no nuance; the good characters are 100% good, the baddies are entirely evil, and the romance lacks any real tension or depth. This book illustrates a trend I’ve noticed in the past few years, where romantic heroes are implausibly perfect and exist solely to provide emotional support to the heroine. Of course, I don’t want horrible, misogynistic “heroes,” but I would like them to feel like actual human beings and not cardboard fantasies. All that said, I may read the next book in the series when it’s published, but I will get it from the library instead of buying.

Mini-Reviews: Nonesuch, Masquerade, Strawberries

Leave a comment

Georgette Heyer, The Nonesuch

Sir Waldo Hawkridge—known as the Nonesuch because of his superior looks, wealth, and social status—has just inherited an estate in Yorkshire. When he and his young cousin Julian visit the estate to evaluate its condition, they soon meet the various residents of the neighborhood. Julian is immediately smitten with the beautiful (but headstrong and selfish) Tiffany Wield, while Sir Waldo is intrigued by her companion, Ancilla Trent. Meanwhile, Ancilla is immediately drawn to Sir Waldo but fears he’d never seriously be interested a nobody like her. I adore Georgette Heyer, and normally I reread four or five of her novels every year. But I recently realized that I hadn’t yet read a single Heyer book this year! It’s been a long time since I read this one, and I enjoyed it SO much. The main romance is sweet, and the secondary characters add a lot of humor and charm. It doesn’t quite have the sparkle of my top favorite Heyers, but it’s still a delightful read!

Lois McMaster Bujold, Masquerade in Lodi

This novella in the Penric & Desdemona series comes after Penric’s Fox in terms of internal chronology, but it’s set several years later, and Penric has recently relocated to the island city of Lodi. He is summoned to the local hospital to evaluate a “mad” patient, and he immediately realizes that the young man is possessed by a demon. Unfortunately, the patient escapes, so now Penric must find him somewhere in the city—no easy feat, given that Lodi is full of crowds for a holiday celebration—and team up with the local saint, with unexpected results. This series is such fun, and I really liked that this installment changes things up a little: Penric is in a new place, meeting new people, and looking for a missing person rather than investigating a murder. I’m especially intrigued by the saint, Chio, and hope she’ll return in future novellas. Overall, I’m still really liking this series and eager to continue with the next installment.

Angela Thirkell, Wild Strawberries

This 1930s social comedy centers around the Leslie family and Mary Preston, a niece by marriage who visits them one summer. The matriarch, Lady Emily, is kind but scatterbrained; her daughter Agnes is placid and indolent; her older son John is grieving the death of his wife; and her younger son David is an idle charmer. When Mary arrives at the Leslie estate, she’s immediately attracted to David, but Emily and Agnes want to set her up with John. This little love triangle is the only “plot” to speak of; the novel is very much a slice of life between the two world wars, and depending on one’s perspective, it’s either pleasantly soothing or incredibly dull. I’m in the former camp, and I enjoyed the peaceful, uneventful progress of this novel—though there is a jarring moment where David, who likes jazz, sings a racist minstrel song. I still liked the book overall, but it won’t be a keeper for me.

Mini-Reviews: Enemy, Rushworth, Spirit

Leave a comment

Brigitte Knightley, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy

Osric Mordaunt is an assassin with a terminal illness. Aurienne Fairhrim, the best healer around, is the only person who might possibly be able to save his life. Too bad they hate each other, both personally and as a matter of principle. But Aurienne’s hospital desperately needs money to deal with a viral outbreak that’s targeting children, so Osric bribes her to help him. As they reluctantly work together to pursue a cure for his illness, they slowly grow closer. I’m a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this book certainly deploys it well, with lots of charged banter and a slow burn that really ramps up the tension. But overall, the novel didn’t quite work for me; some of the banter felt forced, the occasional bawdiness was jarring, and I just wasn’t terribly invested in the romance. Also, the book is the first of a planned duology, and nothing is resolved at the end of this one! I didn’t realize I’d have to read a second book to get the whole story, and I’m honestly not sure if I care enough.

Claudia Gray, The Rushworth Family Plot

This fourth book in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series is set in London, where both Jonathan and Juliet have been encouraged by their parents to look for other potential matches. But the two young people have eyes only for each other—that is, until another murder among their acquaintance captures their attention. The victim is Mr. Rushworth, Maria’s spurned husband from Mansfield Park, and it soon becomes evident that tensions are high within the Bertram household. There’s no shortage of suspects, especially when Henry and Mary Crawford also arrive in town. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, which takes Austen’s well-known characters in believable new directions, and I thought the treatment of the Mansfield Park set was particularly entertaining. I also enjoyed the overall plot, which results in a scandal that may divide Jonathan and Juliet forever. I’ll certainly keep reading the series—I want to know which Austen characters we’ll meet next!

Kristen Britain, Spirit of the Wood

This novella in the Green Rider universe is a prequel to the main series, focusing on supporting character Laren Mapstone. But the story is actually told from the point of view of Tavin, a new Green Rider who’s accompanying Laren on his first mission. When she’s gravely wounded, he must figure out how to help her; but Laren is carrying a lot of grief and trauma from the recent wars with the Darrow Raiders, and Tavin’s magical gift of empathy means he must experience it all along with her. This was a decent little adventure, and I liked Tavin and wanted good things for him. His journey of self-discovery was satisfying if a little slow at times. I don’t think the book adds much to readers’ understanding of Laren, though it does reveal how she got her scar. Overall, a fine but not particularly memorable installment of the Green Rider series…though I might be a little too critical, since I find I’m just not very interested in the series anymore.

Mini-Reviews: Practical, Listeners, Broken

Leave a comment

Fiona Hill, The Practical Heart

Gillian Spencer has just taken a job as companion to the two daughters of a viscount. Because the viscount is deeply in debt, Gillian must get the daughters married as soon as possible—preferably to rich men. But even with the help of the viscount’s handsome nephew, Miles Lawrence, she finds that her task is harder than she thought. After really enjoying The Country Gentleman, I was excited to try more by Fiona Hill, but I must say this book was a bit disappointing. It’s so short (only 139 pages in my e-book copy) that there’s really no time for character development. The romance between Gillian and Miles is barely sketched in, and the other characters are just there for hijinks and comic relief. I did still enjoy the writing style, particularly the viscount’s ornate way of speaking, but otherwise this one is just okay. I bought a whole Hill anthology for $2.99, though, so I will certainly try more of her work.

Maggie Stiefvater, The Listeners

June Hudson is the general manager of the luxurious Avallon Hotel in the mountains of West Virginia, where the mysterious sweetwater has kept the hotel prosperous. The U.S. has just entered World War II, and the government calls upon the Avallon to host a large group of Axis diplomats, both to keep them out of mischief and to show the enemy how prisoners should be treated. June is deeply conflicted about this assignment but resolves to treat the Nazis like any other guests. Eventually, however, both June and the Avallon reach a breaking point that will change the course of June’s life. I’m a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater’s writing, so I was incredibly excited for her adult debut, and overall I was not disappointed. The story is based on true WWII events, and it’s a great backdrop for June’s character arc, as every decision becomes a compromise among competing priorities. The fantasy elements felt a bit unnecessary to me, but they also didn’t detract from the story. There’s a wonderful romance as well, so overall, I’d definitely recommend this one to fans of WWII-era historical fiction.

Tana French, Broken Harbor

Detective Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy has the top solve rate on the Dublin Murder Squad, which he attributes to his hard work and emotional detachment. But when he’s assigned to a high-profile case—an entire family murdered in their home—he finds himself becoming more and more personally invested as he and his rookie partner investigate. I think Tana French is a really good writer, and even though I wasn’t particularly interested in Scorcher’s story when I started this book, she soon made me empathize with him. The book’s central question also resonates: How much control do we really have over our own lives? But it’s so slow, diving deep into the minutiae of police procedure, and ultimately it took me a long time to read because I found it very put-downable. I do still want to continue with the series, but it’ll probably be a while before I pick up the next book.

Mini-Reviews: Masque, Library, Heartbeat

1 Comment

Stella Riley, Masque of Deceptions

Daniel, Viscount Reculver, has recently inherited his father’s title, along with a mountain of debt he didn’t know about. To make ends meet, he’s begun selling some of his family’s valuables. When Anna Hawthorne of Hawthorne’s porcelain manufactory hears this news, she’s determined to buy back the set of scent bottles that the late viscount had purchased from Hawthorne’s over the years. But when she meets the handsome and charming Daniel, she’s tempted to make a different offer entirely. As Daniel contemplates her surprising proposal, he begins to see Anna in a new light. This is the second book in Stella Riley’s new series, after The Shadow Earl, and I liked it more than its predecessor. Both Anna and Daniel are very sympathetic characters, and their slow journey from awkwardness to love is delightful. Of course Daniel’s close friends, at least two of whom are sequel bait, make a few appearances, but the focus is largely on the central romance. There are not one but two villains, which gets a bit tiresome, but luckily they don’t overwhelm the story. I’m hoping the next book in this series comes out soon, as I’m definitely excited to read it!

Sulari Gentill, The Woman in the Library

Four strangers are sitting at the same table in the reading room of the Boston Public Library, when they hear a woman scream. At the time nobody knows what’s happened, but news reports later reveal that the woman was murdered. The four strangers, who began talking to each other after hearing the scream, quickly become friends and speculate on who could have killed the woman—but things get complicated when it comes out that one of them has a violent past. I was intrigued by the premise of this book and imagined it would be a variation of the locked-room whodunnit, perhaps with a side of “unbreakable” alibi. Instead, very little time is actually spent on the woman in the library, as the book becomes more of a thriller, with plenty of “shocking” but repetitive revelations and a couple more violent deaths. As a thriller, it was…fine. The unmasking of the murderer fell flat, and then everything ended very abruptly. Overall, I just found it a bit lackluster, and I wouldn’t particularly recommend it.

Cara Bastone, Just a Heartbeat Away

Sebastian Dorner, grieving the sudden death of his wife, is shocked and ashamed when his son Matty’s preschool teacher, Via DeRosa, gently tells him that Matty shows signs of neglect. Seb vows to do better, and two years later, he and Matty are in much better shape. Seb is volunteering at Matty’s new school, where Via just happens to be the new guidance counselor. A mutual attraction builds between them, but Seb is 42 while Via is 27 and has a boyfriend. Will these obstacles prevent their romance? Ultimately, of course, the answer is no, but getting there is a delicious, achingly slow burn. I loved this book’s nuanced portrayal of grief and strong characterization, even of the minor players. Much as I adored Seb and Via together, some of my favorite scenes in the book were between Seb and his mother-in-law, who have a complicated relationship. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and am eager to continue with the series. Highly recommended if you don’t mind some heavier elements in your romance.

Mini-Reviews: Ghosted, Fox, Back

1 Comment

Sarah Ready, Ghosted

Jillian writes a column about love and relationships, but her paralyzing shyness around men means she’s never had a serious relationship herself. That all changes when she moves into a new apartment and promptly bumps into a hot shirtless guy named Daniel. Jillian has no trouble talking to him—because it turns out he’s a ghost, and she’s the only one who can see him. They decide he needs to help her with her career and love life in order to “move on,” but as they grow closer, Jillian wants him to stay with her instead. I’m of two minds about this book. The romance develops way too quickly, but then there’s a twist halfway through that puts a new spin on the relationship, but then in the end the ghost-related logistics aren’t really explained. So, you have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit. That said, some of the emotional moments did land, and I really enjoyed the secondary characters such as Jillian’s coworkers. So overall, I liked it fine but didn’t love it.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Penric’s Fox

Sorcerer Penric and his friend Inglis, a shaman, plan to enjoy a leisurely day of fishing. But when their friend Oswyl, a policeman of sorts, interrupts them to reveal that a sorceress has been killed, they both join him at the crime scene, and Penric finds himself once again helping to investigate a murder. But alongside finding the sorceress’s killer is an equally important question: Where is her demon? I’m continuing to enjoy this series about Penric and his snarky demon, Desdemona. So far it’s been a fun mix of fantasy world-building and crime solving, with likable characters who are learning to work together; I hope we’ll continue to see more of Inglis and Oswyl in future installments. I also love the richness of Bujold’s theology in this world. Overall, delightful as always, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!

Linda Holmes, Back After This

Cecily is an audio producer for a podcast network, but she’s always wanted to host her own show. Now she finally has her chance, but the show her boss proposes is not her style, to say the least. The network wants her to work with an influencer-turned-relationship-coach, Eliza, who will set her up on 20 dates and give her advice on how to find love. Cecily agrees reluctantly but is surprised by Eliza’s perceptiveness. Meanwhile, as she goes on dates for the podcast, she also connects with Will, a man she meets by chance—but will she have to choose between a promising romance and the success of her show? I really like Linda Holmes’s writing style; she’s funny and her characters feel like real people. I also loved Cecily’s arc in the novel—she’s likable and sympathetic throughout, but she clearly needs to grow and change in some areas, and Eliza is surprisingly helpful with this. Some of her advice to Cecily is really true and pointed. The romance is a winner as well, so overall, I liked this one a lot!

Mini-Reviews: Murder, Ruin, Story

1 Comment

Anthony Wynne, Murder of a Lady

This mystery, set in the Scottish Highlands, opens with the murder of Mary Gregor, the elderly sister of the local laird. Her corpse is found in a locked room, and the police are stymied as to how the murderer got in or out. The discovery of a fish scale on the body leads the locals to believe that supernatural merman-like creatures are responsible. Luckily, amateur detective Dr. Eustace Hailey is visiting the area, and he eventually discovers a more logical explanation—but not before a troubled marriage nearly falls apart, and several more deaths occur. I quite liked this Golden Age mystery; I didn’t guess the culprit, and the locked-room puzzle was ingenious. I also found the psychological discussion interesting, although it occasionally seemed questionable and dated. But Hailey’s analysis of the dead woman’s character is both fascinating and integral to the solution of the case. It’s a bit melodramatic, and the book ends very abruptly; but overall, I liked this one and would recommend it to vintage mystery fans.

Mimi Matthews, Rules for Ruin

Euphemia “Effie” Flite was plucked from the streets as a child and placed in the Crinoline Academy, a school dedicated to educating strong and independent young women. Effie graduated years ago, but now the headmistress is calling in a favor: Effie must use her training to ruin the reputation of Lord Compton, a member of Parliament who’s opposing a bill that would allow married women to own property. In so doing, Effie butts heads with Gabriel Royce, a self-made man from the London slums who needs Compton’s influence to pursue his plans for social reform. I think Mimi Matthews is one of the best historical romance authors writing today, but I was worried that this new series would be too anachronistic and unsubtle (the back cover says something about “disrupting the patriarchy”). Happily, my fears were unjustified; Effie and Gabriel are both progressive thinkers for their time, but their beliefs are grounded in their cultural context and make sense for their characters. I also loved the romance, which is steamless but leaves no doubt that Effie and Gabriel are wildly attracted to each other. I’m excited to continue with the series—book 2 comes out in November!

Genevieve Cogman, The Untold Story

***Warning: SPOILERS for previous books in the series!***

In the last (at least for now) installment of the Invisible Library series, Irene finally comes to a reckoning with Alberich, who is a murderer, a traitor to the Library—and Irene’s biological father. But at their climactic meeting, Alberich reveals information that has Irene questioning her most deeply held beliefs and loyalties. How was the Library founded, who really controls it, and for what purpose? Irene must find these answers without getting herself or her loved ones killed in the process. When I first read The Invisible Library, I remember being disappointed that Alberich was a villain with no nuance and that Irene never questioned the benevolence of the Library. Thankfully, those complaints are no longer valid! This book finally digs into the Library’s true nature and sheds some light on a few things from previous books that seemed strange or incongruous. I think it’s a satisfying ending to the series, though I can imagine Irene & co. having further adventures if the author ever wants to return to this world.

Mini-Reviews: Love, Stranger, Pen

Leave a comment

Katherine Center, The Love Haters

Katie is a video producer at a struggling company that’s about to make some layoffs. So when her superior assigns her a job filming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West, she jumps at the chance—even though she knows nothing about the Coast Guard and can’t even swim. Things get even trickier when she meets her subject, Hutch, who is kind and patient and staggeringly handsome. But both Katie and Hutch will have to overcome some baggage if they want to embrace the possibility of love. I like Katherine Center’s books and devoured this one in a single sitting. It’s funny and charming and romantic, but it also delves into some deeper issues, most notably Katie’s struggles with body image. Frankly, I’m torn on how the book handles that particular element…I did sympathize with Katie at times, but (although the book never reveals her size or weight) it’s clear that she is not a fat person. And as a fat person myself, I sometimes felt annoyed by the book’s simplistic message of body positivity. But apart from that issue, I did like this novel a lot and would recommend it to rom-com fans.

Edith Layton, To Wed a Stranger

Lady Annabelle Wylde is the reigning beauty of London society, but after several years of pursuing and being rejected by various men, her reputation has taken some hits. Now she’s nearing 30 and decides it’s time to marry. Her new husband is Miles Croft, Viscount Pelham, who is reasonably wealthy and handsome and has the right social status. Neither of them loves the other, though they hope that love might grow. But when Annabelle falls ill and loses her looks, a romance seems less likely than ever. This is my first experience with Edith Layton, but it won’t be my last because I really enjoyed this book! I love a marriage of convenience, and I thought both Annabelle and Miles had realistic thoughts and feelings about their situation. I also liked Annabelle’s growth as she slowly realizes that her worth isn’t determined by her looks. This book is part of a series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, it’s made me curious to try out a few of the earlier installments. I’d definitely recommend this one to fans of the genre; it’s one of the better Regencies I’ve read lately.

Megan Whalen Turner, Moira’s Pen

I’m a huge fan of the Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, so I was excited to pick up this collection of stories and other short works that are set in the same world. Some of the stories have been previously published in various editions of the series novels, while others are new. The book also contains some essays by the author sharing her inspiration for various places, items, and characters. I generally liked this collection, though it’s nowhere near as compelling or emotionally rich as the main series. It’s been a few years since I read the novels, so I didn’t remember who some of the supporting characters were; I think I’d have enjoyed the stories more if the main series were fresh in my mind. Still, it was nice to spend a little more time in this world, and the completist in me is glad to own this book. I’d only recommend it to those who love the series, though – if you haven’t read any of the main novels, you’ll have no idea what’s going on!