Book Review: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Deception of the Emerald Ring

Series: Pink Carnation #3

Genre: Historical Romance, Chick Lit, Mystery

Format: Paperback

Pages: 400

Published: November 16, 2006

Where I got It: My shelf (Walmart...Meijer? I can't recall)

Summary: 

The year is 1803 and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France's most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What they don't know is that also in Ireland is England's top spy, the Pink Carnation, who is working to shut the rebels down. Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister and is accidentally compromised. Geoff and Letty, to each other's horror, find themselves forced into matrimony. Then, Geoff receives word that he is to travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation and disappears immediately after their wedding ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff's disappearance and, not to be outdone by her husband, steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her husband…and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

As in her previous tales, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Masque Of the Black tulip, our modern-day heroine and hero, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, continue their budding romance in this captivating third novel in the series.

Review:

I'm loving re-visiting this series! It has been one of my favorite series for years. This one is one of my fave books of the series. Awww Letty. 

Here we are with Eloise continuing her research and trying to ignore her feelings for Colin. She turns her research to Letty and Geoff. Letty intercepts a message meant for her sister. It sounds like Mary is planning to elope with Geoff, and what Mary wants...Mary gets. Letty figures that Geoff will be the more level-headed of the two, so she sneaks out to meet him and talk some sense into the man. However, they are discovered...alone...and in a compromising position. Enter the wedding bells, and Geoff hates her because 1) He loved Mary, and 2) Obviously, this was a trap. Lucky for him, duty calls, and he slips to Ireland to join his fellow spies for a mission to save England. Letty finds out and decides to join him and try to talk sense, and maybe find some common ground. Color her shocked when she finds out the man she married is a spy, and she will have to help save England. 

OMG, I forgot how chaotic this book is. In a good way, of course, but sOooooOOOoo much miscommunication and misunderstanding. I forgot about all the hoops and loops. It's all so entertaining LOL.

I wish I could be mad at Geoff, but I totally get his side and his perspective. BUT just hear Letty out, man. GAH. He does eventually become the man Letty deserves, and they DO find common ground, and it's amazing. Love them. 

Mary....meh. 

Vaughn....I love him. 

Jane....awwww.

And honestly, I'm having more fun with Eloise's story. I enjoy it in the past, but I felt like it wasn't as entertaining as the main story. Maybe because I'm older and wiser? 

It was so nice going back because I had forgotten so much, and it kinda felt like when I read it the first time. Awwwww!

5 stars for sure. I can't wait to read the others. 

Reading Challenges

- Reading Romance Challenge #11 (re-read)

Book Review: Dandelion Dreams by Susanne Ash

Author: Susanne Ash

Title: Dandelion Dreams

Series: The Alphabet Sweethearts

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 57

Published: February 18, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Andrew Carter thought he had his future all planned out—marriage to Emma Hawthorne, a shared life filled with love, and a family in their small hometown. But when Emma left to follow her artistic dreams, Andrew was left picking up the pieces of his heart. Now, years later, he’s built a life of his own, pouring his energy into Novel Sips, Juniper Falls’ favorite coffee shop and bookstore.

Emma never intended to break Andrew’s heart or to lose him entirely. When she discovered she was pregnant, she tried to reach him, but Andrew had disappeared. Now, their son Charlie is asking questions Emma can’t answer, and she’s tracked Andrew to the town he calls home. Walking into Novel Sips and seeing Andrew again brings back all the memories and all the feelings she thought she’d buried.

Andrew isn’t sure he can forgive Emma for leaving, even as old sparks reignite. And when he learns about Charlie, the son he never knew he had, the emotions between them grow even more complicated. As they navigate the past and their unexpected present, can Andrew and Emma find the courage to let go of old wounds and trust in the possibility of a second chance?

Review:

Another book of the series. I'm liking this town and these stories. :D 

In this one, we follow Andrew and Emma. Andrew thought they had it all when he started dating Emma. He wanted to marry her, but she wanted to follow her dreams and left. Years later, he has built a new life by opening a coffee/cafe house in Juniper Falls. Emma never wanted to lose Andrew forever. She tried reaching out to him to let him she was pregnant but he had disappeared. Years later, she has finally found him. Old sparks reignite, but can Andrew forgive her? Can Emma? 

Second chance stories are soooo hard for me to like. It all depends on the situation and the ways they work toward forgiveness. I struggled with this one. Yes, Emma did "try" to find Andrew...sure....but c'mon. You had zero ways? NO ONE knew? IDK. It just bugged me. And like why didn't Andrew just go with her? All of these issues could've be resolved but everyone was just too darn stubborn. GAH.

This is a short story so maybe I would've connected better if I had more time and got to see more of the past and more of the work of forgiveness. It was all so easily resolved in 50+ pages. 

Not my fave of the series, but I will read more. This is an adorable series and I like Hazel a lot....I love this dang town. 

2 stars from me. 

Cast That Book: The Reunion

A weekly meme that showcases my "cast" of a book if it were to become a movie or TV show. Anyone can join!

Another book!? Yesss.

Just a reminder, if you would to join in on the fun you can cast the same book or a different one.

Rules (aka self-imposed...you don't have to follow them)

- A recent book I read

- Only books that I gave a 4 or 5 stars

- Casting the main cast and maybe some of the side characters

- Sky is the limit

Book:

Ford - Asher Chazen Grodman

Larkin - Jessica Madsen

Cooper - Luke Newton

Nora - Jasmine Cephas Jones

Palmer - Ashley Greene

Beau - Jonathan Bailey

Peggy - Jamie Lee Curtis

Martin - John Michael Higgins

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: March 26, 2024 by Titan Books

Horror/borrowed

I enjoyed this one. A haunted house and a dysfunctional family.

Anna is going to Tuscany with her family. They all think she will cause some kind of disaster. They do seem to blame her for everything. They will gaslight her too.

Everything seems pretty nice at first. Sure there are some issues with her brother´s new boyfriend, and her sister can at least be calmed with wine. But doors open, there is scratching, the locals avoid the place. Is the house haunted?

Things are getting creepier. Her family is so toxic and drives me crazy. Like please stop blaming Anna for everything!!

I honestly could not put it down after a while. I had to know!

Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.

It isn’t easy when she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite fit in. Her twin brother, Benny, goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolved, and her older sister, Nicole, is so used to everyone—including her blandly docile husband and two kids—falling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choices, and Dad, when not reminding everyone who paid for this vacation, just wants some peace and quiet.

The gorgeous, remote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togetherness, until things start going off the rails—the strange noises at night, the unsettling warnings from the local villagers, and the dark, violent past of the villa itself.