Book Review: The Duchess by Amanda Foreman

Author: Amanda Foreman

Title: The Duchess

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Format: Paperback

Pages: 456

Published: January 1, 1998

Where I Got It: My shelf (Used Book store)

Summary: 

Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.

Review:

I picked this up an eon ago. Been meaning to read this but you know how life goes. When I originally picked this up I swore it was more like the movie, but it is a nonfiction. Once I got going I realized that it was an informational instead.

This is a biography book about Georgiana and her life. She was extremely popular and famous in her day. She married one of England's richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashion and a staple of the ton. However, money and fame can only buy you so much. She had an unhappy marriage, gambling addiction, and a rampant lover affairs. 

Yess this was very informational and it was nice learning more about this beautiful lady. I loved the movie and I really wanted to read this. Even though it wasn't what I expected, I still enjoyed myself. Lots of details and snip bits from letters and etc that survived. 

But yes. This was a nice read. Refreshing in a way. We got to see some deep detail about a woman who is still remembered today. 

Now...I want to re-watch the movie ;) 

I'll give this 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Informational

Book Review: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Title: No Earls Allowed

Series: The Survivors #2

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 386

Published: March 6, 2018

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

It is a truth universally acknowledged

that a lady can do anything a man can do:

backwards and in high-heeled dancing slippers.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men.

Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance...

Review:

Book 2!! Been excited to read more of this series. Especially Neil's story. 

Here we follow Neil and Juliana. Juliana is the daughter of an Earl and she needs all the help she can get when she is put in charge of a ramshackle orphanage. London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her and her father wants to marry her off in a hurry. Enter in Neil. He is the bastard son of a Marquess and a war hero. He is sent in to assist Juliana with repairs and keeping the orphans safe. Once that is all done he is instructed to bring her home. Little does he know she is as stubborn as he is. 

This was adorable. The orphans are cute and I want to hug them all...even Billy who is struggling. 

Juliana was a bit too stubborn at times. Girl....accept the help rebuilding stuff and protection! There is literally a slumlord trying to take the boys AND you. Please shut up and accept the help!!! Loved her, but dang I wanted to shake her.  

However, Neil and Juliana find compromises and feelings so their silly fights stop and they can actually be productive. 

I did love the fact that Neil and Juliana are both virgins. Yes, I love a good rake buuuut it is sweet to see the occasional leading male be a virgin too. It is a rare gem. I loved the one scene when they are both learning together. Such a sweet scene. 

Ugh the baddie. Hated him. Terrible man. 

I loved Juliana's father. Yes, he is stubborn (huh must run in the family) but he really does love his girls.

My biggest issue was with the fact that Julia is still accepted by the ton even though she (a single lady) is alone and running an orphanage. Maybe if she was married or a super spinster? I don't buy it and it bugged me. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy this even with the one plot hole that bugged me. I loved our characters even though Julia was overly stubborn. It was all very sweet and fun. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #17

B's Monday Review: Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Haven's Rock (#1)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: December 5, 2023 by Minotaur Books

Crime/Library

I am always saying I will try one of her crime novels and I finally found one. Though to be honest I could have sworn I have seen her other series at the library and now nothing!

Anyway, dang, why did I not start this earlier? Now I need that previous series too because this was my sort of crime.

Wilderness, a mystery, people missing, bodies found. Strange people in the woods. A town being built as a refuge. Two detectives on the case.

I binged it, I binged it. Do I need to say more? Nope, binged! Case closed

Haven’s Rock, Yukon. Population: 0

Deep in the Yukon wilderness, a town is being built. A place for people to disappear, a fresh start from a life on the run. Haven’s Rock isn’t the first town of this kind, something detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, know first hand. They met in the original town of Rockton. But greed and deception led the couple to financing a new refuge for those in need. This time around, they get to decide which applicants are approved for residency.

There’s only one rule in Haven’s Rock: stay out of the forest. When two of the town's construction crew members break it and go missing, Casey and Eric are called in ahead of schedule to track them down. When a body is discovered, well hidden with evidence of foul play, Casey and Eric must find out what happened to the dead woman, and locate the still missing man. The woman stumbled upon something she wasn’t supposed to see, and the longer Casey and Eric don’t know what happened, the more danger everyone is in.

Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper, Volume 2

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 2
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

Review: 

Awwww! I have to read more of these. The story and the art is so adorable!

We continue were we left off in V1. I guess a spoiler...but Nick and Charlie are best friends. We left off when they kissed and Nick took off. Charlie has been openly gay for a long time and Nick thought he knew himself...but after meeting Charlie...is there more to himself? 

BE WARNED! Some spoilers are ahead!!

I simply adore Charlie. He is so sweet and kind and really helped Nick. He didn't hold it against Nick for needing sometime to figure out himself. No pressure to make Nick come out. I really loved this. 

We get to see Nick try to figure out himself and his mates. He has some not nice friends (dang popular boys) to deal with. And telling his mom? He is scared. I loved how the scene with his mom was dealt with. It broke a tear to my eye. So sweet. I love his mom! I loved that WHOLE scene. 

The ending was simply adorable! I can't wait to read V3!!!

The art is adorable and fits the vibes very well. 

I'm loving this series so much. The characters are very sweet. We have a couple meanie weanies that Nick used to be slight friends with. Hopefully they can grow up. 

Giving this a 5 because I can and I will. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #16