Blodeuedd's Monday: Wed for Their Royal Heir by Jackie Ashenden

By: Jackie Ashenden

Narrated by: Julia Eve

Series: Three Ruthless Kings, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Release date: 03-31-26

Publisher: Tantor Media

Romance/to review

I decided to give Harlequin a go, I have not read one in ages. And I must say, were they always this passionate? I do not remember it like that since I read these at 10. Not like anything more than normal, but these two really have the hots for each other.

Solace had a one night stand, she was a virgin, they always are, she got pregnant, and omg the babydaddy is a king! And then she was tired, and she did not know she was pregnant and she signed away the rights to her child. 6 months later she is back with a plan to get her child back.

First, the kid is a bastard, he should not be heir, so forget about that plothole. I am sure they have it written in their constitution and like in the olden days when a king married and had kids they were not at all jealous that the bastard got the throne, lol.

King Galen is really alpha, I mean really alpha. He meets Solace again, sparks fly. She wants her son back. He does not want scandal as he told everyone the mother was dead. There is an uncle who wants the throne.

We all know they will get their HEA, and Galen is so alpha so he will make sure he gets his HEA, without scandal.

I did enjoy it. It was short, passionate and I always like fake royal countries

The narrator worked well and did a good job with this book

In a moment of dark despair, a destitute Solace Ashworth gave up her newborn to palace officials. She was sure his wealthy father, King Galen Kouros, could provide the life she never could. Now she’ll do anything to get her baby back—even blackmail the king!

Facing the woman he shared one reckless night with, Galen experiences the same lightning bolt of desire. Then shame at discovering the terrible mistake that tore Solace from their son. There’s only one acceptable option, and it starts with claiming Solace at the royal altar!

Book Review: Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Author: Sara Goodman Confino

Title: Don't Forget to Write

Genre: Historical Fiction, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 334

Published: September 1, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

In 1960, a young woman discovers a freedom she never knew existed in this exhilarating, funny, and emotional novel by the bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good . When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents ship her off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer. If anyone can save their daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict premier matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can kiss college goodbye. To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada’s not the humorless septuagenarian her mother described. Not with that platinum-blonde hair, Hermès scarf, and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straight-talking, takes her job very seriously, and abides by her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head for the Jersey shore, where Marilyn helps Ada scope out eligible matches—for anyone but Marilyn, that is. Because if there’s one thing Marilyn’s learned from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year quickly approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make her choice for her future: return to the comfortable life she knows, or embrace a risky, unknown path on her own.

Review:

This was picked for our book club!!! Never heard of it so I was excited to read it. It sounds good and look at that cover!!! 

Here we have Marilyn, who wants to do what she wants and be free. After being caught kissing the rabbi's son and declining to marry him, she is sent to her great-Aunt's for the summer. Her aunt is described as being humorless and tough, but Marilyn is pleasantly surprised. Yes, Ada can be all of those things, but there is more to her. With Ada's help, Marilyn will have to find the courage to make her own choices for her future. She will have many decisions to make before the end of summer. 

I am feeling lazy. I'll divide and conquer this review.

The Good

- Loved our cast here except for Marilyn's parents. I wanted to shake them. 

- I loved the setting

- The vibes of this book were intoxicating. I didn't want to stop! 

- We have a few twists, and they were great. 

- That last twist!!! I had a feeling, but I didn't think it would happen! EEEEE!

The Bad and the Ugly

- My only real issue was the very end. HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US LIKE THIS!?!?!?!?! Are we going to get a book 2? Short story? POV shift? SOMETHING?

Conclusion

I really, really liked this book. I didn't want to stop reading, and I wanted more. Maybe an epilogue or something. SOMETHING. But other than that, I have no real issue. I'll give this 5 stars even with the ending. It might be me being selfish. I loved everything else. 

Audiobook Review: Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: Goddess of the Hunt

Series: The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: July 28, 2009
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

Summary: 

Every earl knows the one lady he shouldn't seduce is his best friend's little sister . . .

Lucy Waltham is hunting for a husband, but she needs some target practice. She turns to her brother's cold-as-ice best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to test her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of secrets. He's always kept a safe distance from his own emotions—and from Lucy, who wears her heart on her sleeve. But to save his best friend's little sister from certain heartbreak, he can't stay at arm's length anymore. Their sensual battle of wills is as forbidden as it is delicious. The closer Jeremy gets to taming his temptress . . . the nearer he comes to losing all control.

Review:

Love me some Dare! Been slowly going through all her works. She certainly has a lot, and I'm not complaining!!!!

Here we follow Lucy and Jeremy. Jeremy is friends with Lucy's brother. Lucy has been in love with her brother's friend for a long time, but it isn't Jeremy. It's another friend who is in love with someone else. However, things don't go as planned, and Lucy finally realizes maybe, just maybe, Jeremy is the one for her. He's been the one who has always been there for her. Sure, he is cold, but there is a secret warmth there.

This was adorable and entertaining. I loved Lucy and Jeremy. Both are so different but at the same time so similar. Stubborn and love to vex each other. Loved it!!!

Jeremy has some demons, so he keeps his emotions close to his chest. He is a tough wall to climb, but Lucy loves a challenge. You could tell they were meant for each other in their first interaction. 

I loved watching them finally get on the same page and stop being so stubborn. It was lovely!

They get married fairly quickly, and I loved watching them deal with marriage and finding their love. It was nice. 

The narrator was lovely. The men's voices all sounded similar sometimes, but they worked if you are paying attention. Little difference. 

My only issue is the subplot with the tenants. I hope that is resolved later, because it certainly was not resolved fully here. Jeremy has a lot to do. 

But yes. I was entertained from page 1 until the very end. I want to read book 2 asap. I need to see where our side character ends up. She wormed her way into my heart! I did want more of a resolution with the subplot that seemed to be left dangling and not fully resolved. Maybe we'll see it later on.

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #10

- Library Love #7

- Reading Romance Challenge #7 (Sunset/Sunrise on the cover)

DNF Second Chance Announcement

The votes are in for our DNF Second Chance! 

I will try and get started on this in before the end of spring! 

Rules:

- The book must be sitting on the DNF shelf for at least one year. Time heals wounds...right?

- Honor the poll choice (if you do a polling)

- Read at LEAST 125 pages before giving up. 

- Be completely and utterly honest

- If it is a physical book and it was another DNF...the book must be rehomed. 

If you want to do this idea for yourself, please feel free. You can change the rules and etc. :)