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!