Tag: england

Mini-Reviews: Heiress, Excellent, Witch

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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

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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

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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

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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: Murder, Ruin, Story

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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

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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!

Mini-Reviews: Messenger, Crazy, Gothic

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Susanna Kearsley, The King’s Messenger

It’s 1613, and King James I sits on the throne of England. His son, Prince Henry, has recently died, and rumors suggest that he was poisoned. To investigate (or possibly to set up a scapegoat), the king sends one of his messengers, Andrew Logan, to arrest the prince’s mentor and close companion, Sir David Moray. Traveling with Andrew are a scrivener and his daughter, Phoebe Westaway, who will record any statements made by Sir David. Andrew and Phoebe have a contentious history, but their proximity on this journey leads to very different feelings. Meanwhile, their perspective on Sir David also begins to change. Susanna Kearsley is a top-notch writer of historical fiction, and while I don’t know much about this time period, her depiction feels believable and authentic. I found the present-day adventure and romance more interesting than Sir David’s history with the prince, which is interspersed in the narrative via flashbacks. But overall, I really liked this one, though A Desperate Fortune remains my favorite Kearsley novel.

Annie Darling, Crazy in Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop

Nina, who works with her two BFFs at a bookstore specializing in romantic fiction, prides herself on being unconventional, from her vintage-pinup-girl style to her sleeves of tattoos. Her romantic ideal is Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. Noah, a consultant who’s evaluating the bookstore’s finances, couldn’t be farther from Nina’s usual type—yet she feels a surprising attraction to him. But as they get to know each other, they discover an unpleasant shared history that may drive them apart. I remember enjoying the previous book in this series, True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop, but this one didn’t do much for me. I think it’s because I can’t really relate to Nina at all (again, her romantic ideal is Heathcliff). The book also feels pretty dated in its approach to friendships and relationships, despite being published in 2018—it seems a bit like a Bridget Jones’s Diary copycat. Overall, not a horrible book, but not one I’d recommend either.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic

It’s 1950, and Noemí Taboada is a glamorous socialite in Mexico City. But when she receives a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina, who has recently married and moved to her husband’s remote mountaintop estate, she decides to visit and find out what’s going on. Noemí is repulsed by the decaying estate and its hostile inhabitants. She’s also alarmed by Catalina’s seeming insanity, and becomes even more so when she too starts having strange dreams. She eventually uncovers a complex and horrific history that’s holding her cousin captive—and is now attempting to ensnare her as well. I’ve enjoyed every Moreno-Garcia book I’ve read so far, and this is no exception, though it’s way closer to horror than I normally go! It’s definitely not for the faint of heart—there’s violence (including sexual violence), body horror, and all manner of creepy goings-on. But I really liked this take on the gothic genre and how it explores power dynamics, particularly conquerors vs. conquered and men vs. women. I also loved Noemí as a heroine; she’s got quite a bit more intelligence and spunk than some of her predecessors in this genre. It’s not quite my kind of book, but if this premise interests you, I’d highly recommend it!

Mini-Reviews: Beautiful, Winterlight, Impetuous

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Emily Henry, Great Big Beautiful Life

Alice Scott is an entertainment journalist who’s trying to level up her career. So she’s thrilled when she gets the chance to interview Margaret Ives, a reclusive former “tabloid princess” who was the child of a media dynasty and the wife of a famous rockstar. If the interview goes well, Alice might get to write Margaret’s biography. But there’s another journalist in the running, Hayden Anderson, who’s won a Pulitzer and isn’t happy about having Alice as his competition. As Alice uncovers the secrets of Margaret’s past, she falls for Hayden in the present. I’ve enjoyed every Henry novel that I’ve read, and I think this one might be my favorite. The romance between Alice and Hayden, while lovely, actually gets somewhat short shrift because a lot of the book delves into Margaret’s family history. Some might find the divided focus distracting, but I was genuinely invested in every story. The novel is about love (both romantic and familial), grief, loneliness, art, and the things we regret. I liked it a lot and look forward to the next Emily Henry book.

Kristen Britain, Winterlight

After the events of Firebrand, Karigan is still dealing with trauma and constantly hearing the voice of her torturer, Nyssa, in her head. But she doesn’t have time to dwell on this because Second Empire has officially begun war with Sacoridia, capturing a strategically important castle in the mountains. Karigan and the other Riders are sent to help, but they must also contend with Darrow Raiders, evil wraiths, Eletians with a hidden agenda, and the looming threat of Mornhavon the Black. It took me forever to get through this 835-page tome, and honestly I’m not sure it was worth it. I did like seeing Karigan back among the other Green Riders, and it feels like progress is finally being made on some of the series-long arcs. But it’s still too long, some of the side plots feel uninteresting and inconsequential, and I just don’t care much about this series anymore. I’ll still read the new one that’s coming out this fall, but I hope it ties up some of the main storylines, because I’ll almost certainly be quitting the series after that.

Stephanie Laurens, Impetuous Innocent

Georgiana Hartley has just returned to England after living abroad for several years, only to find her odious cousin Charles living in her family’s ancestral home. When Charles makes unwanted advances, Georgiana runs away and begs her nearest neighbor—Dominic, a viscount—for help. Dominic escorts her to his sister in London but thinks little more of the matter at first. But as he sees Georgiana thriving in London society, surrounded by suitors, he finds himself attracted to her. Meanwhile, Georgiana is head over heels for Dominic but can’t believe he would be seriously interested in her. This book has its good points; it’s steamless, it’s reasonably well written, and though it’s nowhere near Heyer quality, some plot points and characters are vaguely reminiscent of her. But Georgiana and Dominic are incredibly frustrating! Why they fall for each other is a mystery, as they spend hardly any time together until they’re already “in love.” They seem incapable of rational communication and are kept apart by a series of increasingly stupid misunderstandings. So, unfortunately, this one is definitely not a keeper for me.

Mini-Reviews: Archive, Swept, Otherwhere

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Genevieve Cogman, The Dark Archive

In the penultimate installment of the Invisible Library series, Irene Winters and her friends face a whole new set of problems. They’re the targets of various assassination attempts (even more so than usual), a new master criminal is on the loose in London, and an old enemy unexpectedly resurfaces. To figure out exactly who’s after them and why, Irene and company travel to a scientific exposition that leads to a dramatic showdown in Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. As with the series in general, I liked this book, though I didn’t find it particularly hard to put down. With only one book left in the series, I’m wondering if everything will be wrapped up in a satisfying way. All along I’ve suspected that the Library may not be completely benign, but I fear the last book won’t explore that idea and will force me to take it at face value. I also question the durability of Irene and Kai’s relationship (and whatever happened to her unresolved sexual tension with Vale?). Looking forward to reading the last book to see how it all turns out.

Beth O’Leary, Swept Away

The back cover of this novel asks, “What if you were lost at sea … with your one-night stand?” And that’s the entire plot of this contemporary romance. Lexi and Zeke meet in a bar on the north coast of England. They have great sex in Zeke’s houseboat, but due to a miscommunication, neither of them secures the boat to the dock. So the next morning, they’ve been washed out to sea and must work together to survive and find their way home. I really like Beth O’Leary’s writing in general, and this book mostly worked for me. I loved the slow-burn romance; both Lexi and Zeke are very guarded people, and it’s lovely to watch them gradually let each other in. The survival stuff wasn’t as compelling for me, and I never really felt they were in serious danger (though of course in real life, they totally would be!). So The Flatshare is still my favorite O’Leary novel, but I did enjoy this one very much as well.

Emily J. Taylor, The Otherwhere Post

Maeve’s father is a notorious murderer, so for the past several years she’s lived under assumed names, never staying in one place long or getting too close to anyone. When she receives an anonymous letter saying her father was innocent, she’s determined to find out more. The answers may be at the Otherwhere Post, a place that teaches the art of scriptomancy—magic-infused writing that allows people to travel between worlds. But the search is dangerous, and Maeve may not be ready for the answers she finds. I really liked the concept of this novel (a school for magic writing! Alternate universes!), but for me, the plot and characters didn’t live up to it. Everything just felt a bit predictable—the characterization, the romance, the “twists” all felt like exactly what you’d find in a typical YA fantasy novel. Plus, Maeve does some unethical (and stupid) things in the course of her quest, which made her a less sympathetic character to me. Overall, a fine but not an exceptional read.

Mini-Reviews: Dream, Fake, Shadow

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Kristen Britain, The Dream Gatherer

This book is a collection of two short stories and one novella that Britain wrote to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Green Rider’s publication. The stories aren’t part of the Green Rider series per se, but they’re set in the same world and include some characters from the series. The book also contains some illustrations by Britain and a foreword from her friend and fellow fantasy writer Julie Czerneda. To me, this collection is nothing special, with the two short stories especially being quite forgettable. It feels like an attempt to pacify fans who’d gotten impatient of waiting three-plus years for each new book. I haven’t felt that same impatience, as I didn’t start the series till last year and am not a hugely invested fan. So I was neither excited nor disappointed; this volume is fine, but it’s unnecessary filler that does nothing to move the series forward. I was happy to have a little break from the usual 800-page tomes, though!

Charlotte Stein, My Big Fat Fake Marriage

Connie’s never had much luck with men, and the seemingly nice ones always turn out to be the biggest jerks. So she’s deeply suspicious of her neighbor, Henry Samuel Beckett, who appears to be the kindest person on the planet. Turns out, Beck does have a secret: He’s single, but because of a coworker’s bullying, he’s invented a fake marriage. And when he needs to prove his story, Connie volunteers to pose as his wife. Having enjoyed Stein’s When Grumpy Met Sunshine, I was eager to read this one, which features Mabel’s BFF. I really liked both Connie and Beck, both of whom have been constantly devalued by most of the people in their lives. As a result, they’re deeply insecure, and they have trouble standing up for themselves—but immediately leap to defend each other. There’s no plot to speak of, just enough scaffolding to get them to the fake marriage/only one bed premise. There’s also a lot of steam, which I’m not a fan of, but it’s par for the course with Stein. Overall, I did enjoy this one but would recommend looking at an online sample to see whether the writing style works for you.

Stella Riley, The Shadow Earl

Christian, the earl of Hazelmere, vanished three years ago on his Grand Tour. Now he’s suddenly reappeared in London, but he won’t disclose what happened to him while he was missing. He’s also not quite the same gentle, carefree young man he once was—a fact that dismays Sophie, who was informally betrothed to him before he disappeared. Will Christian heal from his traumatic experiences enough to find happiness with Sophie? I really like Stella Riley’s novels; you’re always going to get good writing, likable leads, and a historical setting that’s not just window dressing. But this book lacks any sort of dramatic tension. We learn what happened to Christian early on, and the bulk of the “plot” is he and his friends seeking revenge. I kept waiting for a surprising revelation or twist, but none came. The novel does, however, provide tons of sequel bait; there are at least six or seven supporting characters who could have their own books. Of course, I will read those sequels if/when they materialize! But I still prefer Riley’s Rockliffe books.