Book Review: One Last Job by Anise Starre

Author: Anise Starre

Title: One Last Job

Series: Flights and Feelings

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Pages: 382

Published: July 7, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Working late never felt so good.

When Amber Wyatt gets the opportunity to project manage a lucrative contract with The August Room, an exclusive and glamorous private members’ club, she can’t wait to get started. That is until she meets handsome managing director. Finn Hawthorne seemingly has no respect for her work, continuously undermines her and, worst of all, has the uncanny ability to charm everyone else he meets.

But launching The August Room is Finn's baby and he needs it to go well. With whispers of nepotism he needs to prove himself. Which explains why he can’t stand Amber. Not only is she charging him a small fortune, she keeps dismissing his ideas and, worst of all, she’s drop-dead gorgeous and seemingly immune to his charms.

Forced to work together to meet the tight launch day deadline, sparks begin to fly, and the fine line between business and pleasure starts to blur.

What was supposed to be a career-defining project leaves them both wanting more, but will they take it, or will this one last job destroy everything they've built?

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this one while looking for something else and this seemed fabulous. 

Here we have Finn and Amber. They are forced to work together to meet a tight launch date. When together...it seems they are too different, but they will soon learn they are perfect for each other. 

I'm going to do a divide and conquer review again. My poor brain hurts today. 

The Good

- Loved these two! Finn and Amber were great. Loved their banter

- I liked how this naturally happened. Yes, they were forced together but it took time and it felt right. 

- This is part of a series, but it didn't feel like it. It felt like a nice standalone. Sure, there might've been cameos, but I didn't notice

- The ending was lovely and was perfect. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- I don't really have any issues. ;)

Conclusion

Great read. I would def read more by this author and maybe more in this series. 5 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday

Author: Jenny Holiday
Narrator: Harry Frost

Title: Earls Trip

Series: Earls Trip #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook

Published: April 23, 2024
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

Even an earl needs his ride-or-dies, and Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, counts himself lucky to have two. Archie (the jock), Simon (the nerd), and Effie (the goth) have been BFFs since their school days, and their annual trip holds a sacred spot in their calendars. This year, Archie is especially eager to get away—until an urgent letter arrives from an old family friend, begging him to help prevent a ruinous scandal. Archie’s childhood pal Olive Morgan must be rescued from an ill-fated elopement—and her sister Clementine must be rescued from rescuing Olive. Suddenly the trip has become earls-plus-girls.

This . . . complicates matters. The fully grown Clementine, while as frank and refreshing as Archie remembers, is also different to the wild, windswept girl he knew. This Clem is complex and surprising—and adamantly opposed to marriage. Which, for reasons Archie dare not examine too closely, he finds increasingly vexing.

Then Clem makes him an indecent and quite delightful proposal, asking him to show her the pleasures of the marriage bed before she settles into spinsterhood. And what kind of gentleman would he be to refuse a lady?

Review:

A few people I know have read this, and they all had vastly different experiences with it, so I was a hair hesitant to finally listen. Weeellllllllllll, a road trip is the perfect time to just do it. 

Archie and his friends go on a yearly "earls trip" to get away from it all. This year, Archie is eager to get away. His mother's health and mind are slipping faster and faster. However, an urgent letter arrives from an old family friend. It begs him to help prevent a ruinous scandal. His childhood friends, Olive and Clem, have both run away. Olive is with a man, and Clem is trying to stop this marriage. Suddenly, this trip will have the two ladies with them. What complicates matters more is that Clem is now a fully grown woman and is complex and delightful. Uhoh. 

I do have some mixed feelings about this. I honestly felt like I was on a roller coaster. 

One minute I'm IN LOVE with the story. The next minute I was yawning. A page later I was right back in it and wanted the narration to go faster! Theeeennnnnn I was just wanting it to be over. And yeah...so on and so forth. 

I liked Clem. Archie was...okay. He def got better near the end. 

The romance was alright. This felt more like a historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance. It took FOREVER for them to even admit they kinda, sorta like each other. Love a slow burn, but this was like rubbing two sticks together in the rain. Eventually the flames happen, but it takes a while. I think I liked everyone better as friends. It was a fun story watching them all interact! It was charming. 

The narrator did a fine job. His girl voices felt too similar.

But yes, mixed feelings for sure. 

Loved some bits. Some bits...meh. 

I'll give this 3 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #44

Audiobook Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker
Narrator: Ella Purnell, Jonathan Bailey, & full cast

Title: Dracula

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Classic
Format: Audiobook

Published: October 1, 2026 (this rendition)
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

When her fiancé vanishes in Transylvania, Mina pieces together letters, diary entries and chilling testimony to hunt the predator stalking those she loves — only to discover he's already hunting her. Dracula lurks in shadow, slips into dreams, and casts no reflection. To nearly all, he defies beyond what the eye can see, and what the mind can comprehend. When her closest friend Lucy succumbs to his thrall, the enigmatic Professor Van Helsing is summoned to wage war on this unfathomable threat. But it is Mina; her intellect, her resolve, her gift for drawing the unseen lines between clues, who may hold the key to stopping this ancient scourge. If he hasn't already found his way inside her mind…

Review:

Love me some Dracula. Esp Dracula remakes. And when I heard the cast of this one, I couldn't resist checking it out!

Mina's fiancé vanishes, and she is trying to piece together the letters, diary entries, and chilling testimony to figure out what happened. He returns, but he isn't the same. At the same time, her childhood friend is dying, and they do not know why. They bring in Professor Van Helsing to combat the threat. However, it is Mina who will connect all the dots and figure out that they are being hunted by an ancient scourge. 

The original story is good, but man, was this cast amazing. They really did a wonderful job breathing fresh air into this story. Fabulous. I was so invested. I listened to this during a long drive down to Florida, and I was in Tennessee by the time I finished it. I was surrounded by trees and darkness. Such a great way to listen to this. I was so scared by the end. I ran to the hotel to check in. 

I would listen to this rendition again. It really just flushed out the story and made me love the story all over again. I haven't read the original since 2012, and I remember it seemed to drag on and on. I didn't feel this way with this narration. They just brought this to life so well. 

5 stars, 100%. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #43

Book Review: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

Series: Pink Carnation #4

Genre: Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit
Format: Paperback

Pages: 385
Published: January 6, 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

A continuation of the series that began with The Masque of the Black Tulip and The Deception of the Emerald Ring finds Mary accepting a secret assignment from spy Lord Vaughn to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation in order to prevent an invasion of England

Review:

I started this and then stopped for a while. September was a wild month. Buuuuuut this was set to the side and not forgotten. I love this series, and I wanted to keep going. I finally picked back up to finish. 

Here we are with Eloise continuing her research on the Pink Carnation and other fellow spies. This time we will step back and see Mary's and Lord Vaughn's story. Mary accepts a secret assignment to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation to prevent plans for an invasion of England. 

Mary is a rough character to like, but she is one you can't stop being curious about. There is a lot more deep down. Same with Lord Vaughn. The two are a match made in snarky Heaven.

It was nice going back to this! It's been so long. I had forgotten sooo many things.

Eloise is adorable. I remember being not her biggest fan in my very first read-through of this series, but I've grown to adore her. 

Such a fun series. This isn't my favorite mainly because Mary is rough to like, but it's still an enjoyable read. Love the world. Love the characters. I can't wait to start the next one soon-ish.  

I'll give this a 4.

Audiobook Review: The Tuesday Night Club by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie
Narrator: Mark Bowen

Title: The Tuesday Night Club

Series: Miss Marple #SS 1

Genre: Mystery, Short Story, Classic
Format: Audiobook

Published: 1927
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library


Summary: 

A weekly gathering of murder mystery fans. Each week one of them challenges the rest of the group with a new mystery. Who can rise to the challenge?

And now for the first difficult case that comes to the Tuesday Night Club. The story begins with a dinner. After a supper of canned lobster and a dessert of trifle, three people became ill and one of them, Mrs. Jones, died. A bout of botulism was suspected but could it have been more than that?

Sir Henry Clithering, the former head of Scotland Yard, recounts it all to the club assembled at Miss Marple's house in St. Mary Mead. The group are keen to delve deeper as he asks whether any of them can resolve it. In the corner sat Miss Marple, knitting and listening.

Review:

I'm a terrible AC fan......I've never read any of the Miss Marple (that I can remember). EEE. Oops. 

Each week, this group of murder-mystery fans takes on a new mystery. The first difficult case lands on their lap....after supper, three people became ill, and one of them died. Who? How? Why? Everyone has their opinions, but who is right?

We all know the answer....Miss Marple will be the one to solve it. LOL, but I loved the format of this lil short story. She was fun! I want more time with her to really fall for her as I have with Hercule. BUT it was a nice intro to this unlikely hero. 

The mystery was nice and so complicated that it had such a simple solution. 

The narrator did well. I would listen to more if he did the voices for more.

Overall, quick, nice, and an interesting mystery. I want more. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #41

- Library Love #25

Book Review: A Lady of Large Fortune by Tiffany Thomas

Author: Tiffany Thomas

Title: A Lady of Large Fortune

Genre: Historical Romance, What If, Variation

Format: Ebook

Pages: 498

Published: July 22, 2026

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of large fortune may fall in love at her leisure and choose her own fate.

Elizabeth Bennet has spent years quietly holding her family together. With Longbourn entailed away and her father content to leave its management in her hands, Elizabeth has learned to be practical, capable, and useful. Then a flood in London takes the lives of her aunt and uncle Gardiner, leaving three young children in need of protection—and Elizabeth with more responsibility than ever.

But beneath the damaged house in Gracechurch Street lies a secret no one could have imagined: a Roman treasure, hidden for centuries, that changes the course of her life—in more ways than one.

Rewarded by the Crown for her discovery, Elizabeth becomes exactly what society values most: a lady of large fortune. But she chooses to keeps her good fortune a secret from everyone, determined to keep her family safe from gossip, greed, and imprudent schemes.

Retired militia colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy knows too well what a fortune can cost. His father’s extravagance left Pemberley wounded, his sister vulnerable, and Darcy sacrifices everything, including his hopes for a love match, to prudence and rebuilding. Yet when he comes to Hertfordshire, he does not expect to meet again the muddy, courageous young woman who once rose from a hidden cellar with a Roman coin in her hand.

But wealth does not solve every difficulty, and the past has a way of reaching for what it was never owed. Darcy and Elizabeth must work together to restore their happiness and protect the future of those they love.

Review:

I was itching for some P&P variations, and I stumbled upon this in Kindle Unlimited, so why not? 

Here we are with Darcy and Elizabeth. Tale as old as time, but a little different. What if Darcy's father was a spendthrift who ran Pemberley to the ground and left it to Darcy to fix? What if Elizabeth found a way to have riches and save her family? 

I had fun with this one! It was pretty sad at some points. Poor Darcy...Poor Lizzie.

There was a LOT of changes to the story, but it was still the same at its core. I enjoyed watching our characters interact and find their ends. Some happy, some not. Especially Wickham. His ending was def well-deserved. 

It was weird not seeing more of the Gardiner children, minus a cameo in London and then quickly mentioned in the epilogue. This was a big deal and a huge change in the story, but we didn't really get to see them. 

But yes, I enjoyed the changes made. They were refreshing and new. Super sad, though. I wish we would've seen more of the aftermath of the Gardiner children having to move in with them. Maybe a scene or two with Elizabeth with the kiddos. But the ending was nice and fitting. I liked this overall! It was good. 4 stars from me. 

Movie Review: Pressure (2026)

Title: Pressure

Length: 1h 40 m

Released: 2026

Genre: Drama, Docudrama
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg face an impossible choice--launch the most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I had heard that Brendan Fraser was playing good ol' Ike Eisenhower. Love this actor, and I am addicted to WWII. So when this popped up on Peacock, I had to check it out. 

It is 72 hours before D-Day. Captain Stagg and General Eisenhower will face an impossible choice....when to launch the most dangerous seaborne invasion in history.

Being a nerd, I knew why D-Day was delayed, and it is just facts. I never really knew the behind-the-scenes of this decision. I loved that they showed this part of the war. Not all heroes wave a gun around or are the face of an Army. Some heroes are nerds who are meteorologists. 

I'm glad we didn't get stuck on the details of the science. I wouldn't know anything, and I feel like if it was too science-y, you would lose some of the viewers. We want the drama. The decisions. The war. 

I liked the cast overall. They fit, and they all did well. I did have issues with Fraser acting "angry". It just didn't land quite right for me. Maybe it is because he just has such a kind face. LOL. Other than that, I think he did an excellent job as the man who is larger than life. Eisenhower was brilliant, but he knew he didn't know everything. That is why he was such a great leader. Leaders don't know everything. They rely on their team to help. Beautifully done.

Honestly, I would watch this again. This was really good. 

If you like WWII films, you'll like this. This is just another story and another POV that helped with the war efforts. 

I would say 4.5, but I rounded up because I'm a sucker for WWII and Fraser. 5 stars. 

Book Review: The Pemberley Picnic by Melanie Rachel

Author: Melanie Rachel

Title: The Pemberley Picnic - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Genre: Historical Romance, What If, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 160

Published: July 16, 2026

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Fitzwilliam Darcy never expected Elizabeth Bennet to come to Pemberley—least of all after the proposal she so decisively refused. Yet here she is, seeing him not in a ballroom or a drawing room, but on his own ground, where he might be able to prove to her that he has changed.

But he has only days before she returns home.

So he does something entirely unlike himself: Darcy announces a picnic. There is only one difficulty. He has not planned a picnic.

Still, he is certain everything will go well. It must.

But Darcy soon discovers that even the simplest picnic can go astray—especially when the wind, the weather, and Miss Bingley all seem determined to keep him from the guest he most wishes to please. As old misunderstandings soften and new feelings bloom, Elizabeth and Darcy must decide whether pride, prejudice, and past mistakes can give way to something far sweeter.

Review:

I'm in a JA mood, I guess! 

Here we have a P&P variation. Darcy never expected to see Elizabeth again after she declined his proposal. Well...here she is....in his home.....this is his chance to show her he has changed. He decides that there will be a picnic on the grounds! What could go wrong? Everything. 

I'm going to be chill again and divide and conquer this review. It's been a long week. 

The Good

- LOVE a P&P and Austen variation. It's just so fuuuuun. 

- Awww loved seeing Darcy do something so out of character. 

- Fitzwilliam was a gem. So witty. So funny. 

- This was very sweet and adorable

The Bad and the Ugly

- Some phrases and words didn't seem to vibe with the time period and characters. It just didn't hit the ears (well...I did the ebook...would it be eyes?) right. 

Conclusion

I enjoyed this little gem. It was very sweet, and I liked this cute twist. Imagine if Darcy got an extra day with Lizzie. So very sweeeeet. 

4 stars. 

Book Review: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Author: Natalie Jenner

Title: The Jane Austen Society

Series: Jane Austen Society #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 304

Published: May 26, 2020

Where I got It: My Shelf (Gift)

Summary: 

Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people—a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others—could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.

Review:

I love Jane Austen and a lot of her books, so I've been excited to check this out. 

It is just after WWII, and an unusual but like-minded group of people team up to protect Jane Austen's legacy. Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, but, sadly, it is a diminishing estate that needs work to preserve. 

I am feeling tired, so we'll divide and conquer this review (it's been a min since we used this format!):

The Good

- I liked our array of characters. They were different and interesting. 

- Loved how the author brought this time period and town alive. 

- Some nice banter between some of the characters

- Liked the splash of 'Persuasion'. Literally my fave of JA's works. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- Some areas seemed to drag on and on. I would catch my attention slipping sometimes. 

- It took me eons to finish this guy. I would walk away from it for a couple of days and forget about it. I would have to go back and reread the last page or two just to remember what had just happened. 

- Some spots were….I hate to use this word…..dull. 

Conclusion

Maybe I should try the audio version of this story. Richard Armitage does a rendition and I lovvvveeeeee his voice. So...yeah. Maybe I'll try this again. I wanted to love this, but didn't. It was just alright. Some good banter and interesting characters. But some areas? Dull. 

2 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: A Tale of Faerie by Dina Gregory

Author: Dina Gregory

Narrator: Holli Dempsey

Title: A Tale of Faerie

Genre: Fiction, Short story, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook 

Published: May 22, 2020

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

When Jasmine moves to an old cottage in the countryside, nothing goes right. She itches at night, keeps losing small things or finds them in odd places. Only after an encounter with the famous neighbour do things magically improve for Jasmine.

This Devonshire story puts the fairy in fairytale.

Review:

Going through a few shorts since my attention span has been little to nothing the last couple of weeks. The cover of this little gem and the title caught my eye for sure. 

Here we follow little Jasmine, who is forced to move to an old cottage in the countryside with her family. She itches at night, keeps losing things, finds things in weird places, and she feels like she is being watched. After an encounter with her famous neighbor, maybe...just maybe things will improve. 

This was short and whimsical. Gotta love the fae.

I wish we had more interaction with the fantasy element of the story, but it was sweet. 

The narrator was lovely and fit. 

4 stars. Def a nice listen if you need something quick while you work outside or craft. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #34

Book Review: Magic Touch by AS Fenichel

Author: A.S. Fenichel

Title: Magic Touch

Series: Witches of Windsor #1

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 301

Published: July 1, 2024

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

ESME

I never dreamed my small curatives shop in Windsor, England would attract the attention of war hero Sir William Meriwether. My feminine heart is aflutter when he enters. But I'm a witch and a healer, and he's a man in pain, so I heal him. Desperate to do him a good service, I stretch my powers to the limit—or perhaps beyond. Somehow, in curing his ailing leg, I unleash powers inside William. At a loss to stop what's begun, I'm forced to seek assistance from the coven I've sworn never to join. I dread the encounter, but for William's sake, I put my family's hatred aside. Getting to spend more time with William is an added enticement.

WILLIAM

I'm mesmerized by Esme O'Dwyer from the moment I lay eyes on her. Despite our different stations in society, I want something more personal than any restorative tea she might offer. As a gentleman, I contain those baser needs, and accept her assistance to ease the pain in my leg. When the alluring witch's touch bestows me with magic of my own, I want no part of it. But the coven's leaders insist magic never make mistakes, and for this to have happened, I must be needed. I've never been one to shy away from duty, and being secluded for training with Esme is magical in more ways than one.

ESME

Trouble is coming to Windsor. The signs are all there. The race is on to train William as a witch before his power is needed, but our growing attraction is as undeniable as the battle that lies ahead.

Review:

Randomly came upon this little guy, so I decided to give it a chance! It sounded pretty good, and I do love witches. ;) Plus, look at that kitty!!!!!!!!!!

Here we have Esme and William. Esme is the local healer and witch. William comes in, and he needs to be healed. However, there is something between them that resonates. When she heals him, she helps unlock powers he never knew he had. There is an attraction, but there is an evil coming to Windsor, and she has to help train him for the upcoming battle. 

This was a nice read. I enjoyed our journey and our little lovebirds. They were very sweet, and the drama was to a minimum. Some internal stuff and the looming battle, of course. 

I liked both our characters, and there was a nice collection of side characters. I am curious about Minerva. I think her book is next. 

Some elements of the plot seemed....weak. Not sure if that is the right word. I don't feel like I understand the world or these powers. Maybe things will be better explained in the next book? Everything felt flowy and loosey goosey...a bit too flowy and loosey goosey for my liking.

Even with that, I still enjoyed the journey and our romance. With the ending....I am curious to see what is next, but I'm not rushing to read it. Maybe if it is free or on Kindle Unlimited. Maybe there is an audio I would enjoy a touch more. 

I'll give this 3 stars.  

Reading Challenges:

- Reading Romance Challenge #18 (Cat on the cover)

Book Review: Tea and Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Author: Sharon Lynn Fisher

Title: Tea and Alchemy

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Historical

Format: ebook

Pages: 293

Published: January 1, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (BookBub)

Summary: 

Cornwall, 1854. The people of Roche have always whispered about the recluse in the black granite tower that looms above the moorland. But one young woman is driven to discover the truth behind the old tales.

Her life overshadowed by family tragedy, Mina Penrose escapes her lonely days by working at The Magpie, a cozy tearoom on the village’s edge. Lately she’s been seeing shapes in the sodden leaves that hint at the future. After one such omen, Mina stumbles upon a murdered man on the heath. Villagers immediately suspect Harker Tregarrick, a living, breathing mystery who never ventures beyond the bounds of his centuries-old estate.

Until the day after the murder, when the handsome and compelling recluse visits The Magpie…leading to a meeting that will change both their fates. Captivated by a man around whom danger and rumors of death swirl, Mina has never felt more alive. Can she uncover Harker’s heartbreaking history—and the truth about the murder—before tragedy strikes again?

Review:

Randomly saw this on BookBub, so why not! Love, I had zero idea that this would be a vampire tale!

Here we have Mina, who loves working at The Magpie. It allows her to escape her lonely existence after tragedy. However, she's been seeing shapes in the tea that scare her. After one omen, she stumbles upon a body. Everyone starts expecting Harker even though he never ventures beyond the bounds of his estate. The day after the murder, Harker shows up at the Magpie and will change their lives forever. 

I was shocked that we had vampires here LOL. The summary never really went over this. Did I miss something in the summary? I'm not mad, but I was shocked. 

This started off slow, and I never really and truly settled into the story. What is wrong with me? This has everything. Historical, vamps, tea, a mystery! I just couldn't connect.

The story was interesting enough that I kept reading. There were little sparks that kept me intrigued enough to keep pushing, but I just felt meh at the end. Didn't hate it or love it. Just meh.

Mina was okay, and Harker was eh. 

Again....am I the problem? Two books in a row I just couldn't connect with. I need a refresh, I think. 

In the end, that was just alright. I felt meh by the end, but I didn't hate it. It kept my interest enough to finish the book. I'll stamp this with 2. 

Audiobook Review: Duke of Depravity by Scarlett Scott

Author: Scarlett Scott

Narrator: Kate Handford

Title: Duke of Depravity

Series: Sins and Scoundrels #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook 

Published: November 23, 2018

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Crispin Ashforth returns from battle the newly inherited Duke of Whitley with two sisters under his charge. Publicly lauded as a hero, he is haunted by the bitter mission that nearly saw him killed and cost the life of his best friend. He’s desperate to drown out the demons tormenting him by any means, regardless of how depraved.

All he needs to do is find a proper governess for his hellion sisters so he can drink and wench himself into oblivion. Enter Miss Jacinda Turnbow, who is as lovely as she is prickly. It doesn’t take Crispin long to realize he’s found precisely the sort of distraction he needs in the prim governess.

But Jacinda has secrets of her own, and she’s no ordinary governess. To save herself and her father from ruin, she has agreed to infiltrate the duke’s home and search for evidence that he’s a traitor.

Resisting his advances grows more difficult by the day, however, as she discovers there’s more to Crispin than the careless life of sin he’s cultivated. And the greatest danger she faces is losing her heart to the man she has no choice but to betray.

Review:

Picked this up randomly when I saw the title! It fits a reading challenge, and plus it has been ages since I read a Historical Romance. 

Here we follow Jacinda and Crispin. He is the new Duke and has to take care of his sisters, but his mind is still haunted by the war's events, so he's been drinking and man-whoring around town. However, he needs a new governess since his prankster sisters made the last one quite rather quickly. Enter Jacinda. She is undercover to search for evidence against Crispin. There are rumors that he is a traitor. As time goes on, she starts doubting his guilt, but is she biased because she is falling for the man, or is he truly innocent?

This one was alright. It had it's shiny and fun moments, but I didn't buy the love story between these two. Lust? Heck yeah, but there was little love there from what I could see. They rarely spoke, and then Jacinda wasn't who she said she was. There was little time at the end for them to talk it through and really get to know each other.

Love a good lust, and the chemistry was lovely, but I didn't buy their love. Not even in the epilogue. 

Other than that, I still had a lot of fun with this story and seeing them fumble about. 

The narrator did a good job. His voices fit. 

Overall, this was just alright for me because I never felt the love. The lust and etc...that was great! The narrator was good. I just needed more talking. 3 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #27

- Reading Romance Challenge #16 (Duke in Title)

 

Book Review: By His Vow by Tracy Lorraine

Author: Tracy Lorraine

Title: By His Vow

Series: Callahan Billionaires #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 678

Published: April 21, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Bookbub)

Summary: 

As the daughter of a powerful businessman, I wasn’t expecting to inherit much when my father suddenly passed.

There was only one thing I truly wanted.

The cottage— the only place that ever felt like home.

But it turns out that I got a lot more than I bargained for.

Kingston Callahan.

Arrogant, egotistical, power-hungry, demanding and all the other not-so-charming attributes I despised.

He’s also my brother’s best friend.

And now, thanks to my dearly departed father, my husband for the next year.

He’s everything I hate about the life I was born into. Everything I’m not.

One short year...three hundred and sixty-five days in return for the life I've always dreamed of.

It’s a merger, not a marriage, but I’m not prepared for the hunger Kingston uncovers with his touch.

It’ll all be over soon, just so long as I remember not to catch real feelings for my fake husband while we’re pretending.

Review:

I picked this up because 1) freeeeeeee and 2) it fit a reading challenge. It all seemed like the perfect storm. 

Here we have Kingston and Tatum. The two have known each other for years. After the death of her father, she thinks she'll finally get the quiet life of her dreams at the family cottage, and she'll be out of the family business for good. However, her father and Kingston have other plans for her. To get her cottage and be left alone, she has to marry Kingston for one year and, hopefully, give him a baby. Problem? She hates him.

Sighs. 

Sighs again but louder and more eye rolling. 

I hate Kingston. I hate his face. Tatum RUUUUUUUN!!!!

I'm a smut gal, and this had too much smut. It was like every other page. Did they ever really talk? Barely. That is why it took 600+ pages for them to finally get on the same page; they were able to finally talk here and there in between the rolling around on the sheets. UGH.

I powered through because I wanted the credit for the reading challenge, and I had the smallest bit of hope maybe, just maybe, Kingston would grow on me. He finally did...kinda....in the epilogue *faints*

But yes. Not for me. This has a high rating, so people must love it. I guess I'm in the minority on this one. 

2 stars. I give this an extra star because I liked Tatum and her cat. Good kitty! Scratch him again!!!!!

 

Reading Challenges:

- Reading Romance Challenge #15 (Blind Date/Arranged Marriage)