Historical Fiction

Cause to Repine by E.M. Storm-Smith

I’m was excited to be a part of Kate Rock Book Tours tour of this book which came out on Feb. 8. This historical fiction re-telling of Pride and Prejudice is a delight to read. I’m always a sucker for a Jane Austen re-telling, and this does not disappoint. It has the story we all know and love, with just a enough differences to make the story new. I loved the softer, less grumpy Darcy. The beautiful friendship that he and Elizabeth grow during the majority of the book is wonderful to read. Their cute banter and quiet flirting gave me all the feels. I also loved the way the author resolved the marriage of Mr. Collins.

Continue reading →

April 15, 2024 0

Pride and Preston Lin by Christina Hwang Dudley and Christina Dudley

3.5 stars rounded up

I don’t read many re-tellings, but when I see a re-telling of any Jane Austen book I snap it up. It helped that Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Jane Austen books.

Continue reading →

April 9, 2024 0

To Woo and To Wed (The Regency Vows #5) by Martha Waters

This is a fun, flirty and fulfilling finale to a wonderful Regency RomCom series – although, I’m very sad to say goodbye to it. While this is the last book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.

This book has my favorite romance trope – fake dating – as well as second chance love. West, the Marquess of Weston, and Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell were nearly engaged years ago until West was in a terrible accident leaving his best friend dead and West with an injured leg. Years later, Sophie enlists West in a scheme to pretend to be engaged so that her sisters will feel free to marry. Neither counted on old feelings rising to the surface.

Continue reading →

February 11, 2024 0

The Lace Widow (An Eliza Hamilton Mystery #1) by Mollie Ann Cox

This is a wonderful historical mystery centered around the death of Alexander Hamilton after his duel with Aaron Burr. His wife Eliza is grieving and being comforted by her sister Angelica. She then learns that her son is accused of murdering a man that witnessed Hamilton’s duel. Stunned by this news, and determined to clear her son’s name, she is told of another man’s death, apparently by suicide. This man also witnessed Hamilton’s duel. Something’s not right, and Eliza is determined to figure it out. Is there be a plot to kill Hamilton and all the witnesses? If so, why? She must also face the fact that Hamilton left her with a pile of debts and almost no money. This leads her to sell her handmade lace, and get connected with a mysterious group of widow lacemakers who have the inside knowledge of what’s going on with high society.

Continue reading →

February 2, 2024 0

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

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 Hunt’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 →

January 25, 2024 0

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain

You guys, this book is so cute! It’s a fun and flirty Regency England historical romance about what happens when the tables are turned against men’s complete control over courtships. Diana Boyle is a wealthy widow who has no desire to get married again. She discovers that she’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 →

January 25, 2024 0

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

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 “Hart” Hartford are childhood friends. When Anne was only 16, Felix proposed and they had an understanding. Shortly thereafter Anne’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 →

January 19, 2024 0

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

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 →

December 5, 2023 0

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

If you like historical fiction romances, you need to get this book now. It’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. It’s the best kind of flirting that happens at the beginning of a new relationship that gives you that “I’ve got a new partner” glow.

Continue reading →

November 21, 2023 0