Mini-Reviews: Mirror, Unsent, Train

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Carol Berg, The Soul Mirror

Four years ago, Anne de Vernase lost everything when her father was convicted of evil sorcery and treason. Her mother is mad, her brother is in prison, and her younger sister has just died in a magical “accident” that might not be so accidental. Now Anne has been summoned to the royal court, where she is immediately plunged into various intrigues, including the murder of a noblewoman. She ultimately learns some shocking truths about both her own gifts and the magical conspiracy threatening the kingdom. This book really builds on the events of The Spirit Lens and sheds new light on its mysteries. I particularly enjoyed seeing the main characters from the first book through Anne’s eyes—understandably, she neither likes nor trusts Portier at first! This book thankfully doesn’t suffer from the “second-book slump” that is common with trilogies; rather, it moves the plot along nicely and actually resolves a lot of loose ends from book 1. I’m excited to read book 3 and see how things develop from here.

Lia Louis, Better Left Unsent

Millie enjoys her peaceful, low-drama, conflict-avoidant life. But when she’s feeling angry or frustrated, she vents by writing emails; she’ll never send them, of course, just consign them to the purgatory of her drafts folder. That is, until a server glitch sends out all her emails—the angry rants to rude coworkers, the hurt feelings about a friend’s behavior, the heartbreak over the ex who dumped her and is now engaged to someone else. Horrified, Millie just wants to apologize and pretend like it never happened, but eventually she learns that sometimes it’s OK to speak up about her needs and feelings. I’ll be honest, it took me a while to get past the fact that she was drafting all these emails from her work account! It’s such a monumentally stupid move! But once I got beyond that, I did enjoy the book. I could relate to Millie’s people-pleasing tendencies, and I was glad when she started to see herself and others in a new light. There’s also a nice, low-conflict romance, although the love interest is a bit too bland and perfect. Overall, this is enjoyable women’s fiction, but it’s not destined to be a favorite.

Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

After the success of his “memoir,” Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Ernest Cunningham has been invited to an Australian mystery writers’ festival, which is taking place on a luxury train called the Ghan. Ernest is struggling to find inspiration for his second book, but fortunately, there are plentiful tensions among the train passengers that soon result in a murder. Ernest is excited to have another mystery to solve, but he soon realizes that with several other mystery writers on board, he’s not the only would-be detective on the case. This book has a very similar flavor to its predecessor but is even more metatextual, as Ernest talks about the aftermath of his first book, how it’s been received by the public, Goodreads reviews, and so on. I liked the twists and turns of the plot, and I liked that Ernest is still devoted to the Golden Age “rules” for mysteries – even as he learns that the rules don’t always cover every situation. All in all, this is a good sequel that should appeal to fans of the first book, though the series should definitely be read in order.

Mini-Reviews: Impossible, Tea, Rectory

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Connie Willis, Impossible Things

I’m not a huge fan of short stories, but I do love Connie Willis, so I decided to revisit this collection of her early stories and novellas, which were all originally published in the ’80s and early ’90s. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are really no duds in the collection, though of course some stories resonated with me more than others. I particularly enjoyed “Spice Pogrom,” an homage to the screwball comedy; “Chance,” a heartbreaker about a woman who’s consumed with regret over a bad choice she made years ago; and “Winter’s Tale,” a compelling, contemplative take on a Shakespeare conspiracy theory. The collection contains both tragic and comic stories, but even the tragic ones generally have a hint of hope or humor, and even the comic ones have surprisingly sharp edges. I still prefer Willis’s full-length novels, but if you like the author (or sci-fi stories in general), these stories are well worth reading also.

India Holton, The Secret Service of Tea and Treason

This final book in the Dangerous Damsels trilogy focuses on Alice Dearlove and Daniel Bixby, both of whom appeared in the previous book as a lady’s maid and butler, respectively. In fact, they’re two of the best spies in England’s shadow government, and now they’re tasked with working on a mission together. The Wisteria Society is allegedly plotting to assassinate Queen Victoria using a mysterious new weapon. Alice and Daniel must pose as a married couple, infiltrate the Society, and steal the weapon; naturally, complications ensue when the ruse starts feeling all too real. This book shares with its predecessors a light tone, copious literary references, silly piratical hijinks, and a central romance. But I think this is my favorite of the trilogy because I loved Alice and (especially) Daniel. Both are dealing with childhood trauma and neurodivergent brains that make them feel like outsiders, and it’s lovely to watch them slowly realize that they understand each other. That said, this series is a fun read, but I’m not sure I’ll ever feel the need to reread it.

Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to the Rectory

Lucy and Robert Kurland are excited for the christening of their baby daughter, Elizabeth. But as they welcome their family and friends for the event, they’re also surprised by some unwanted guests: Harriet and Basil Northam, the daughter and son-in-law of Robert’s Aunt Rose, who recently married Lucy’s father. The obnoxious Northams have long sponged off of Aunt Rose and aren’t pleased that her remarriage may now disinherit them. When Basil Northam is found stabbed to death in the rectory study, Lucy’s father becomes the chief suspect, which causes tension between Robert and Lucy as they investigate the crime. This book is the last of the Kurland St. Mary mysteries, and while it doesn’t really feel like a series finale, it fits right in with the rest of the series: pleasant but bland, and not particularly remarkable as a mystery. I did like the brief observations on inequities in the justice system, but they’re not treated with much depth. Overall, these books are quick, undemanding reads, but I wouldn’t enthusiastically recommend the series. It’s fine, but I feel pretty tepid about it.

Mini-Reviews: Time, Comet, Overture

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Kaliane Bradley, The Ministry of Time

In the near future, a secret branch of the UK government called the Ministry of Time has discovered time travel, but they’re still figuring out its rules and limits. As an experiment, they’ve extracted five “expats,” people from earlier periods of history who would have died in their own eras, and brought them into the present. The book’s narrator works for the ministry; her job is to live with one of the expats—Commander Graham Gore, a naval officer lost in an Arctic expedition in the 1840s—and help him acclimate to the 21st century. As the narrator gets closer to Gore and learns more about the ministry’s project, she discovers some sinister secrets and must decide where her loyalties truly lie. I’m still processing this book, to be honest, but I think I might love it. Bradley writes beautifully, and her characters are complex and interesting (especially Gore, whom I adored!). The only thing I didn’t like was the denouement, which felt a bit rushed and obvious. But the novel manages to be thought-provoking about power, narratives, and identity, while still being an excellent story. I’ll definitely be reading this again at some point!

Sheila Simonson, Lady Elizabeth’s Comet

The titular Lady Elizabeth is a would-be astronomer tracking a comet across the night sky. At age 28, she’s also been the de facto head of her family since her father’s death more than a year ago. So when the heir to her father’s earldom, distant cousin Thomas Conway, finally takes possession of the family home, Elizabeth is wary and defensive toward the newcomer. But when she helps nurse him after a battlefield injury catches up with him, she finds her feelings changing. Complicating matters is her quasi-engagement to Tom’s friend Lord Bevis and her need to care for her twin 15-year-old sisters. While I don’t mind the occasional “wallpaper historical,” it is refreshing to read a Regency romance that actually feels authentic to the period! While Elizabeth has a unique-for-her-time interest, she’s not a 21st-century heroine in costume. I also enjoyed her witty first-person narration, which is unusual for this genre. The romance is quite lovely with some funny moments (and steamless, which is a bonus for me). I’d definitely recommend this one to fans of historical romance and will be seeking out more by the author!

Ngaio Marsh, Overture to Death

This Golden Age mystery, book #8 in the Roderick Alleyn series, has a classic setup: Seven people in a small English village decide to put on a play. One of the actors, a universally disliked spinster, is murdered in a shocking fashion on opening night – shot via a booby trap hidden in a piano. Complicating matters is that Miss Eleanor Prentice, the victim’s equally unpopular friend/rival, may have been the intended target. Suspects include the local squire, a pair of young lovers, the vicar, the village doctor, and a femme fatale. Fortunately, Inspector Alleyn is on hand to uncover adultery, blackmail, and murder. I generally enjoy Marsh’s mysteries, although I think her books get less interesting after the murder occurs. This one is true to form: The setup and character introductions are great, but once Alleyn arrives on the scene, the “plot” is basically just a bunch of suspect interviews. That said, I still enjoyed the book, and I’m pleased that I managed to solve the mystery before the culprit was revealed.

Mini-Reviews: Scarlet, Pointe, Locked

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Anne Gracie, Marry in Scarlet

Lady Georgiana “George” Rutherford isn’t a typical society lady: She rides astride, prefers dogs and horses to people, and has no interest in marriage. Hart, the duke of Everingham, doesn’t particularly want a wife either, though he knows he must marry to secure an heir. And after being jilted by Lady Rose Rutherford, he certainly isn’t looking to her family for a bride. But as George and Hart encounter each other at various society events, they’re reluctantly attracted to one another and are forced to wed when they’re caught in a scandalous embrace. I enjoyed this book more than I expected to…while the seemingly cold and closed-off Hart is my kind of hero, I don’t generally enjoy “feisty,” anachronistic heroines like George. But she won me over with her honesty and firm loyalty to her family. I actually wish the book were a bit longer—I felt like the transition from grudging attraction to feelings happened too quickly, and I wanted to really see them falling in love. That said, this is definitely my favorite book in the series, and I may be keeping it on my shelves for a while.

Chloe Angyal, Pointe of Pride

Chaotic, hot-tempered Carly and pedantic, uptight Nick seemingly have nothing in common. But in fact, both are floundering in their careers: Carly is a ballerina who desperately wants to be promoted to soloist, while Nick’s post-dancing photography career hasn’t taken off. Nick agrees to take photos of Carly that will boost her Instagram following, making her a more attractive candidate for promotion, and get his work into the public eye. As they work together, their hostility transforms into attraction. Like its predecessor, Pas de Don’t, this is a well-written contemporary romance with a beautifully depicted Australian setting. There’s not a lot about ballet in it, which I found disappointing, and the reason for the third-act breakup felt a little flimsy to me. But I did like the inclusion of Carly’s medical condition that makes penetrative sex extremely painful; there aren’t many romance novels where the sex is anything less than perfect and magical. Overall, I liked this book fine but am not particularly excited about it.

Ashley Weaver, Locked in Pursuit

In this fourth installment of the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie hasn’t seen her military handler, Major Ramsey, in months. They were both almost killed in their last mission, in which they also shared a passionate kiss that they agreed never to repeat. But when Ellie suspects that a high-profile London robbery might be a cover for espionage activity, she and Ramsey must work together once more. As their investigation leads them to a murdered woman and a valuable map, Ellie also pursues answers about her father, who might have been a spy for the Germans in the last war. I’m still really enjoying this historical mystery series; it’s an entertaining mix of WWII atmosphere, plot, and romance. The series-long stories make some real progress, as Ellie becomes more proactive in investigating her parents and examines her feelings about both Ramsey and longtime friend Felix. If the premise sounds interesting to you, I’d definitely recommend this series, though it’s best to start with book #1, A Peculiar Combination.

Mini-Reviews: Screenplay, Montesoro, Listening

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Emma Thompson, The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries: Bringing Jane Austen’s Novel to Film

I recently rewatched Emma Thompson’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and loved it—I hadn’t seen it in a while and had almost forgotten how great it is! I enjoyed it so much that I watched it again with the DVD commentary featuring Thompson and producer Lindsay Doran. And then I remembered that I own this book, which (as the title suggests) includes the shooting script of the film and Thompson’s diary entries that covered the filming process. There’s also an introduction by Doran explaining how she got the idea for the movie and how Thompson was chosen to be the screenwriter. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a peek behind the scenes of your favorite movies, this book is for you. The script is maybe the least interesting part, since most of it does appear in the final film, but it’s fun to see the stage directions and think about how the actors interpreted the printed words. Thompson’s diary entries are hilarious—I laughed out loud several times—but she’s very kind and respectful about everyone she worked with. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book for fans of the movie!

Stella Riley, The Montesoro Legacy

This final book in the Brandon Brothers trilogy focuses on the youngest brother, Leo, one of London’s most fashionable painters. When he is invited to a house party to paint a young debutante, he meets Mariella Talbot, who is trying to escape from her cruel, inheritance-stealing stepbrother. A society scandal forces Leo and Mariella into a fake engagement, so they team up to thwart the wicked stepbrother and secure Mariella’s rightful legacy. Stella Riley’s historical romances are always a treat, and this one is no exception. But I do wish the book had focused more on the central couple; instead, much of the plot deals with catching and punishing the villain. Further, Adam and Camilla, the couple from the previous book, play a big role in this story, and much as I like them, I felt they already had their book and I didn’t need to see quite so much of them here. Leo and Mariella feel underdeveloped by comparison, and their love story is basically resolved about halfway through the novel. Overall, it’s still an enjoyable read, but it’s not as romance-centric as I’d expected.

D.E. Stevenson, Listening Valley

I was in need of a cozy, quiet read, so naturally I turned to D.E. Stevenson. This particular novel follows Tonia, a quiet, dreamy girl who’s always been somewhat overshadowed by her bright, vivacious sister, Lou. But when Lou marries and moves away, Tonia comes into her own a bit, and she slowly begins to learn what she truly wants out of life. I really enjoyed this book, which is a quiet slice-of-life story with a bit of romance that also contains some heartbreaking elements. It was published in 1944, so World War II is a presence throughout the story, and there’s one very memorable scene where Tonia experiences an air raid in London. I feel the novel is a quintessential example of Britain’s “keep calm and carry on” mentality, and it’s fascinating to read books that were actually written during this period, when the outcome of the war was still uncertain. Definitely recommended if you like this kind of thing!

Mini-Reviews: Funny, Spirit, Witches

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Emily Henry, Funny Story

Daphne moves to the small lakeside town of Waning Bay, Michigan, to be with her fiancé, Peter. So when Peter dumps her for his longtime best friend, Petra, Daphne feels rootless and doesn’t know what to do. In the meantime, she’s living in the spare room of Miles, Petra’s ex, and plotting her escape from Waning Bay. Daphne and Miles have nothing in common—aside from being treated badly by their exes—but as they spend more time together, they forge a surprising connection. I’m a fan of Emily Henry’s writing and enjoyed this book, though Miles wasn’t particularly appealing to me in the beginning. He’s a chaotic free spirit, while Daphne is more structured and buttoned-up, so they had a fun opposites-attract dynamic. Overall, though, I find myself a bit lukewarm on this one; I did enjoy it, but I’m not particularly enthusiastic about it. Glad I got it from the library instead of purchasing.

Carol Berg, The Spirit Lens

Portier de Savin-Duplais has always longed to become a sorcerer, but despite several years of study at the Collegia Magica, he can’t actually do any magic and is living a vaguely dissatisfied life as the Collegia’s librarian. Opportunity knocks, however, when his distant cousin, the king of Sabria, entrusts him with a special mission. Someone recently tried to assassinate the king using very dark (and very illegal) magic, and Portier—along with foppish courtier Ilario and mysterious mage Dante—must discover who’s responsible before the would-be assassin strikes again. This book is an interesting mixture of fantasy and mystery with a hint of buddy comedy, but I think it focuses a little too much on the mystery; Portier’s investigation moves slowly and feels like a dull police procedural at times. By contrast, the fantasy world gets short shrift (though I enjoyed the quasi-Renaissance vibes), and I found some magical aspects of the plot confusing. I do really like the main characters, though, and will certainly continue with the trilogy since I own the remaining books.

India Holton, The League of Gentlewomen Witches

Charlotte Pettifer is an exceedingly proper young Victorian lady, and also a witch who’s destined to become the head of the Wickan League. So when an amulet belonging to Black Beryl, the league’s founder, is discovered, Charlotte knows she must steal it. Unfortunately, those vulgar pirates of the Wisteria Society are also after the amulet—not to mention the infuriatingly handsome Captain Alex O’Riley. When circumstances throw Charlotte and Alex together in their quest for the amulet, they quickly give in to their mutual attraction; but since pirates and witches are mortal enemies, obviously they can’t fall in love. Like its predecessor, this book is a fun pseudo-historical romp, and the plentiful Austen references are a fun bonus. This installment focuses a lot on the romance, which I’d have been fine with except that it feels very similar to the romance in the first book. Still, if you liked book #1, you’ll like this one too—and the peek at the hero and heroine of book #3 has me intrigued to complete the series!

Mini-Reviews: Moon, Snowed, Secret

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Stella Riley, Under a Dark Moon

Book #2 of the Brandon Brothers trilogy focuses on expert swordsman Adam Brandon, who at the start of the book is recruited to M Section, a shadowy intelligence-esque organization affiliated with the British government. His first mission is to escort the boss’s niece, Camilla Edgerton-Foxe, from London to her home on the Kentish coast—and, while there, investigate a smuggling ring that’s engaging in espionage. Adam’s mission is highly dangerous, but as he and Camilla get to know one another, the greatest peril may be to his own heart. A Stella Riley book is always enjoyable, and I liked the secret agent/smuggling plot, though I felt it dragged on a bit too long. The romance is sweet and satisfying, and I loved that Adam doesn’t “protect” Camilla by excluding her from the investigation; rather, he acknowledges her talents and puts them to good use. Overall, another winner from Riley, though I’m not loving this trilogy quite as much as her Rockliffe series.

Catherine Walsh, Snowed In

Five years ago, Megan was a runaway bride, and because her would-be groom was the town’s golden boy, she hasn’t gone home since—but her mother is pressuring her to come back for Christmas this year. Meanwhile, Christian (who’s from the same small town) is feeling lonely and isn’t looking forward to another holiday as the “black sheep” single son. When he and Megan bump into each other, he proposes a fake-dating scheme: He’ll be able to forestall his family’s pity, and she can use him as a buffer when she encounters her ex. I love a Christmas rom-com and a fake-dating plot, so I was predisposed to like this book, and I did! Megan and Christian are both relatable characters with great banter, and I also liked the nuanced portrayal of their family relationships, which are generally functional and loving but still have areas of conflict. I’d definitely recommend this book and author to fans of contemporary romance.

Anne Gracie, Marry in Secret

Lady Rose Rutherford has always been unconventional and uninterested in being a social success or making an advantageous marriage. She agrees to wed a wealthy duke for purely pragmatic reasons, but on the day of the wedding, a bedraggled man shows up at the church, claiming to be Rose’s husband. Rose is shocked to recognize Thomas Beresford, the man she impetuously (and secretly) married at age 16, who she thought had died in a shipwreck. Now Rose and Thomas must decide whether, after four years apart, they can make their marriage work. I’ve generally enjoyed Anne Gracie’s books, and this one was another solid historical romance, but I must admit it didn’t do anything special for me. After the first few chapters, Rose and Thomas’s relationship is pretty smooth sailing, and the bit of mystery isn’t compelling enough to sustain the rest of the book. However, I am looking forward to the next book in the series, in which Rose’s jilted duke is the hero!

Mini-Reviews: Nursery, Disappearing, Spy

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Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to the Nursery

Robert and Lucy Kurland are finally parents to a two-year-old son, Ned, and they’re thrilled that Lucy is now pregnant with their second child. Lucy decides to hire additional help in the nursery, but the new maid, Polly, soon causes disruption in both the manor and the village. Her beauty attracts many suitors, some of them employed by Robert, and conflict is the inevitable result. When Polly is murdered, Robert and Lucy investigate and make some surprising discoveries about the girl’s past. This book is, like the rest of the series, a pleasant but not groundbreaking historical mystery. I found the mystery component a bit weak; I was able to guess the culprit in advance, so it was frustrating to wait for the characters to catch up – especially when one suspect insists that he knows the truth but won’t tell Robert and Lucy anything! I’ll definitely continue with the next (and so far final) book in the series, but I think I’m running out of steam.

Kate Clayborn, The Other Side of Disappearing

Jess Greene has dedicated her life to protecting her young half-sister, Tegan, after their mother ran off with famous con man Lynton Baltimore. Baltimore was the subject of a popular podcast several years ago, and now the podcast creators want to interview Jess and Tegan to see if they can track him down. Jess hates the idea but reluctantly agrees because Tegan is eager to participate in hopes of seeing her mother again. As they follow Baltimore’s trail across the country, Jess is attracted to the podcast’s producer, Adam Hawkins, but their mutual baggage hinders their romance. Clayborn is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and I really enjoyed this book, even though I’m not into podcasts or true crime. There’s not much lightness or humor in the book – the emotions are intense – but I loved both the romance and Jess’s development as a character. I do wish we’d learned more about Baltimore, but he remains an enigma throughout. Overall, though, I’d definitely recommend this book if the premise interests you!

Tatsuya Endo, Spy x Family, vol. 1

Twilight is a master spy, but his latest mission brings unique challenges: He has to infiltrate an elite private school, which means he needs a wife and child. But he gets much more than he bargained for when it turns out that his hastily adopted daughter, Anya, is a telepath and his brand-new wife, Yor, is an assassin. Will they be able to foil a dastardly seditious plot and, more importantly, come together as a family? I’m not much of a manga reader, but this one caught my eye with its spy-thriller-plus-found-family vibes, and I found it a very cute read! There’s a nice mixture of action and comedy with a bit of heart, and I like the art as well. This being volume 1, it only tells the beginning of the story – the installment ends with the entrance interview to the school – so I’ll have to read more if I want to know what happens next! Fortunately, my library seems to have several installments, so I probably will continue with the series at some point.

Mini-Reviews: Corpse, Brass, Grumpy

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Ellis Peters, One Corpse Too Many

This second installment of the Cadfael series is based on a real event: King Stephen’s siege of Shrewsbury Castle in A.D. 1138 and his subsequent killing of all the castle’s defenders. In the novel, 94 men are supposed to be hanged, but Brother Cadfael finds a 95th body. The extra man wasn’t hanged but strangled, and Cadfael is determined to see his murderer brought to justice. As Cadfael investigates, he navigates treacherous politics, discovers a hidden treasure, and helps two pairs of young lovers. I love the Cadfael series, and this book in particular has always been a favorite. It’s a wonderful slice of medieval life that feels cozy despite the murder plot and wartime setting. I love the mixture of political intrigue, mystery, and romance, and the book introduces one of my favorite characters in the entire series (and one of my first fictional crushes, honestly!). I thoroughly enjoyed this reread and would highly recommend both the book and the series.

Nancy Campbell Allen, Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

Emmeline O’Shea is an outspoken activist for shapeshifters’ rights, and she’s been asked to give the closing speech at an international summit that could produce a decisive victory in the struggle. But when Emme receives a nasty death threat, she’s forced to accept the protection of Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed of Scotland Yard. Emme and Oliver have clashed frequently in the past, but now that they’re spending more time together, their hostility is turning into something else. I love a good antagonists-to-lovers romance, and Emme and Oliver are both appealing characters (and yes, I especially loved buttoned-up, rule-abiding Oliver). That said, I think the first half of the book is more interesting than the second. They’re obviously in love with each other by that point, and the rest is just the plot playing itself out rather abruptly; I wanted more resolution with some of the secondary characters. Overall, this series is not a keeper for me, but I did enjoy the books and would recommend them if you like the idea of steamless historical romance with paranormal/steampunk elements.

Charlotte Stein, When Grumpy Met Sunshine

Retired footballer Alfie Harding needs a ghostwriter for his new memoir, but he’s notoriously gruff, taciturn, and hard to work with. Said ghostwriter, Mabel Willicker, is the opposite, cheerful and chatty to a fault. Their first few meetings are disastrous—pepper spray is involved—but as they work together, Mabel learns there’s much more to Alfie than meets the eye. When a paparazzi photo forces them into a fake-dating scenario, Mabel realizes she’s developed genuine feelings for Alfie, but she’s convinced he could never be interested in a plus-sized non-celebrity like her. I was a little worried this book was going to be cringey Roy Kent fanfic, but Alfie is very much his own person, and he’s an utter delight! He’s so weird and kind and awkward and vulnerable, and it’s obvious that he and Mabel are perfectly matched. I also loved Mabel and related to her insecurities as a plus-sized woman, but Alfie is definitely the star of the book. My one quibble, apart from the off-putting title, is the author’s irritating overuse of one-sentence paragraphs, which I found distracting. But I was frankly charmed by this book and would highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans!

Mini-Reviews: Never, Assistant, Convenient

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Lynn Painter, Happily Never After

It’s Sophie’s wedding day, but she doesn’t want to marry her fiancé, Stuart — she recently caught him cheating. But Stuart’s father is her dad’s horrible boss, and Sophie knows that if she calls off the wedding, her dad will lose his job. So instead, she hires someone to object during the ceremony: Stuart’s wrongdoing will be exposed, everyone will sympathize with her, and her dad’s job will remain secure. Her plan succeeds, and after the not-wedding, she ends up befriending the objector, Max. She even proposes an objecting partnership — she doesn’t believe in true love anyway, so she views breaking up weddings as a public service. But as Sophie and Max spend more time together, they can’t deny just how much they enjoy each other’s company. I really liked this book and think it might be Painter’s best yet! (Seriously, can she please write all the rom-com screenplays now?) Sophie and Max have great banter, and I truly believed that not only were they mutually attracted, but they actually liked each other. Yes, the premise is contrived, and the “obstacles” keeping them apart are flimsy at best, but I didn’t mind since the ride was so enjoyable! Definitely recommended for fans of contemporary romance.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Assistant to the Villain

Evie is desperate for a job to support her sick father and her little sister — so desperate that she agrees to work for The Villain, the kingdom’s most notorious evildoer. Unexpectedly, she soon falls in love with her job — and maybe with her boss as well. Unfortunately, there’s a traitor in The Villain’s organization, and Evie is determined to find that person before he/she destroys everything Evie holds dear. Apparently this book grew out of a TikTok series, and that doesn’t surprise me, given its quippy tone, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped characters. Evie and The Villain both feel incredibly juvenile, mutually infatuated yet completely oblivious to each other’s feelings. Also, I think the book dismisses The Villain’s villainy too easily…of course he’s not as evil as he appears, yet he still tortures and murders people, which somehow doesn’t seem to bother anyone! All that said, I actually had a good time reading the book; it’s a fun premise with some amusing moments, and I’ll probably read the sequel when it comes out (if only to get a real ending to the story!). The key is not to take it even a tiny bit seriously.

Louise Allen, His Convenient Duchess

Marcus has recently inherited an earldom but is dismayed to learn that one of the estates, Chalton Castle, has been sold. The new owner, Rose, is living there with her younger sisters, Chloe and Kat, because their brother is a rake and a spendthrift, and neither they nor their reputations would be safe in his house. Marcus offers to buy the castle from Rose, but she refuses — until her brother threatens to marry Chloe to a much older man with a terrible reputation. In response, Marcus proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose, so that he can protect her and her sisters from their brother’s machinations. This is my second book by Louise Allen, and I really enjoyed it! It’s well-written historical romance that isn’t bloated with unnecessary subplots or extraneous characters. Rather, it’s a quick read that focuses (as it should!) on the central romance. I do think the transition from tentative attraction to love was a bit sudden, for both Marcus and Rose, but overall I liked this one and will definitely seek out more by Allen. It looks like she’s written several books for the Harlequin Historicals imprint, so thankfully I have lots of choices!