Search

Nerd Girl Loves Books

Book recommendations and short reviews just for you!

Category

Historical Fiction

The Governess and the Duke (Renegade Dukes #3) by Lydia Drake

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a wonderful Regency romance with plenty of warmth and heart. Viola, the MC, is the governess to an incorrigible fourteen old girl, Felicity, who is a delightful and refreshing character. Her antics, particularly when she and Huntโ€™s sister Isabell scheme to get Viola and Hunt together, are a hoot. They add much levity and laughter to the story. Viola has been in love with the Duke of Huntington, Hunt, since the moment she saw him. But she knows her place in society and silently loves him from afar. Viola is smart, capable and loving. Her relationship with Felicity is warm, loving, but firm.

Continue reading “The Governess and the Duke (Renegade Dukes #3) by Lydia Drake”

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain

Rating: 4 out of 5.

You guys, this book is so cute! Itโ€™s a fun and flirty Regency England historical romance about what happens when the tables are turned against menโ€™s complete control over courtships. Diana Boyle is a wealthy widow who has no desire to get married again. She discovers that sheโ€™s listed in a directory of rich, single women to help younger sons without a fortune score a rich wife. Diana is furious and confronts Maxwell, the man that wrote the list.

Continue reading “The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain”

The Lily of Ludgate Hill (Belles of London #3) by Mimi Matthews

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a wonderful Victorian romance set in London about two childhood friends whose romance always seems to be just out of step. This is book 3 in the Belles of London series, but can be read as a standalone. Lady Anne and Felix โ€œHartโ€ Hartford are childhood friends. When Anne was only 16, Felix proposed and they had an understanding. Shortly thereafter Anneโ€™s father died, plunging her mother into a 7 year spiral of grief, taking Anne with her. After their broken engagement, Felix never gives up hope they will get back together.

Continue reading “The Lily of Ludgate Hill (Belles of London #3) by Mimi Matthews”

Craigside by M. J. Porter

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This was a twisty 1930s murder mystery at a house party at an estate in North Northumberland. Lady Merryweather goes the Craigside to get away from London and properly grieve her husband who was murdered. She was initially arrested for the murder, but has just been released and she’s hoping the peace at the estate and the solace of good friends will help sooth her.

Continue reading “Craigside by M. J. Porter”

Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #1) by Jody Hedlund

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a sweet historical romance that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Set in 1849 St. Louis, MO, we follow two Irish families that have hired a matchmaker for their children. Finola, suffering from a devastating accident in her family, vows she’s unworthy to marry and have her own children and is intent on becoming a nun. She thwarts all of her family’s attempts to marry her off. Riley is a successful, confidant businessman who is running for Mayor to improve the plight of immigrants and the poor. When his father falls ill and requests Riley finally marry, Riley reluctantly agrees. Neither Finola or Riley think a matchmaker could possible find their perfect match, but he’s more than welcome to try, thank you very much.

Continue reading “Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #1) by Jody Hedlund”

To Spark a Match (The Matchmakers, #2) by Jen Turano

Rating: 4 out of 5.

If you like historical fiction romances, you need to get this book now. Itโ€™s the second book in The Matchmakers book series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

This book is a delightful read. The banter between the two MCs, Adelaide and Gideon, is absolutely wonderful and reminds of the whip smart, fast talking dialogue in Kathryn Hepburn movies likes Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Their conversations jumped off the page and had me smiling and chuckling the entire book. Itโ€™s the best kind of flirting that happens at the beginning of a new relationship that gives you that โ€œIโ€™ve got a new partnerโ€ glow.

Continue reading “To Spark a Match (The Matchmakers, #2) by Jen Turano”

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died (An Emily Dickinson Mystery, #2) by Amanda Flower

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a great historical fiction mystery featuring Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa in 1856 Amhurst. This is book two in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the first book, but didn’t feel like I was missing much because of it.

Continue reading “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died (An Emily Dickinson Mystery, #2) by Amanda Flower”

Jane and the Final Mystery ( Being a Jane Austen Mystery Book 15) by Stephanie Barron

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I had the pleasure of reading ๐™…๐™–๐™ฃ๐™š ๐™–๐™ฃ๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™–๐™ก ๐™ˆ๐™ฎ๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™š๐™ง๐™ฎ by ๐—ฆ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ฒ ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ป. Itโ€™s the last book in the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. I havenโ€™t read the previous books but I didnโ€™t feel lost in the book or that I was missing anything. This Jane Austen inspired historical mystery was a pleasure to read. The comfort of reading Austen- like writing was like cuddling with a warm blanket in front of a fire.

Continue reading “Jane and the Final Mystery ( Being a Jane Austen Mystery Book 15) by Stephanie Barron”

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is a sweet Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction told in dual timelines. In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. She meets the ownerโ€™s grandson David and initially is concerned that the plans he has for his grandmotherโ€™s house serves his needs more than his grandmotherโ€™s, but eventually those concerns dissipate. She has personal reasons for wanting to explore the area โ€“ her parent were married here and sheโ€™s desperate to find the father sheโ€™s never known.

Continue reading “The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky”

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑