Audiobook Review: Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare
Narrator: Carolyn Morris

Title: Beauty and the Blacksmith

Series: Spindle Cove #3.5

Genre: Historical Romance, Novella
Pages: Audiobook
Published: April 30, 2013
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

At last, Diana gets a romance of her own! But with the last man anyone in Spindle Cove expects...

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.

But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.

Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire?

Review: 

Yayy another Dare! Yesss I couldn't wait because I've been simply dying for Diana and Aaron's love story. You could see the chemistry in the other books. It's about time!

BTW - you need to read the other books before this one. Lots of references you need. 

Diana is perfect and destined to marry a rich nobleman. However, she can't get Aaron Dawes out of her mind. Aaron is the village blacksmith and he has been in love with Diana since she first came to Spindle Cover. However, they couldn't be more wrong for each other, but after a stolen moment in his forge....they can't stay away from each other. 

This book had me awwwwing a million times. It's so sweet and precious. They are simply perfect for each other if you take away the birth/station thing. It wasn't easy for them but the ending was perfection. 

I loved the mini mystery and the twist at the end. I was in stitches laughing. Cuuuuuute. 

I do worry about their future but it'll be okay. Diana is a sweetie and I think a quiet life will be perfect. She was never meant to be a Duchess or whatever. 

The narrator was lovely. 

All-in-all, this was very adorable and cute. I loved the couple. I loved the drama and the mystery. I can't wait to read more of this series. I'm nearly done and I'm feeling sad. I did read Minvera's book on accident (whoops) but I'm sure I'll re-read it just to keep the series going as long as possible. BUT, yes, this was good. 5 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Precious

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #59

- Library Love #35

Book Review: A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Title: A Lady by Midnight

Series: Spindle Cove #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 389

Published: August 28, 2012

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Spindle Cove, nestled in a peaceful corner of Regency Era England, has long been known as “Spinster Cove,” due to its preponderance of unwed ladies of “delicate constitutions”—and that’s the fictional setting for a delightful historical romance series by USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare. In A Lady by Midnight, a young woman searching for her family finds love unexpectedly with a handsome colonel—but the secrets of her heritage threaten to disrupt their romance…and their upcoming nuptials.

Review:

Been meaning to read this one, but other books got in the way. *shakes fist*

Back at Spindle Cove. This time is it is Kate's and Colonel Thorne's turn for love. The secrets of her heritage threaten to disrupt everything...including the early sprouts of their romance. Thorne is also not making it easy. He has a dark past and he doesn't know what the meaning of love it. 

I enjoyed this one a lot even though I wanted to shake everyone. Especially Thorne. UGH. I get it. He had a rough, rough, ROUGH past. But dude....you aren't that guy anymore. You have amazing friends and Kate LOVES you! *bangs head on table*

The solution was easy to Kate's "problem" at the end there. Her solution was silly and not necessary. Whatever. It works, but it was silly.

I'm so happy these two found love. They really needed it and deserved it. 

Can't wait to read more. I'm trying to take these slowly so I don't burn out. 

But yes, this wasn't my favorite of the series or of Dare's other books, but I still enjoyed it. I wanted a different solution but it is what it is. It worked. 

More please!

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Entertaining

Reading Challenges: 

- Library Love #34

Audiobook Review: Booked for the Holidays by Liz Maverick

Author: Liz Maverick
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky, Andrew Eiden

Title: Booked for the Holidays

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Pages: Audiobook
Published: November 14, 2024
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

When mystery author D. B. Ziegler is late delivering her book, Abi Schore steps in to help. Surely she can give her favorite author moral support over the holiday break and get the manuscript to her boss at Tea & Sympathy Publishing in time for the new year.

When Abi shows up on Ms. Ziegler’s doorstep bearing holiday treats, she’s met by the author’s handsome grandson Dov, who reveals a startling plot twist. His grandmother isn’t able to finish the book and Dov promised he’d complete it so fans won’t be disappointed—a task that’s harder than he ever imagined.

As Hanukkah unfolds, Abi and Dov cozy up in his grandmother’s brownstone apartment working their way through his writer’s block and untangling plot threads. Before long, the novel starts taking shape ... and so does their simmering attraction. Will their own story end once the book is written, or is this just the first chapter?

Review: 

This popped up as a recommended listen. It's holiday-y and has a puppy on the cover. Why not?? I went into this not knowing anything which I try to do once in a while. I avoid the summary and any review. It's a gamble, but sometimes it works. 

Here we have Abi and Dov. The two are thrown together when mystery author DB Ziegler is late for delivering her much anticipated book. Abi steps in to see what is going on. She shows up on her doorstep but is not greeted by an elderly lady, but by her handsome grandson, Dov. Dov reveals that his grandmother has passed and that he is trying to finish the book for her. As Hanukkah unfolds, Abi and Dov cozy up to work through finishing the book together....and an undeniable chemistry. 

Why don't we have more Hanukkah books??? This was simply adorable and refreshing. I loved seeing these two work through the writing the book together and celebrating the holiday. It was awkward at times, but a cute awkward. These are two strangers that share a love of DB Zielger (in different ways, but they love her). And enter in a dog that needs to be watched until their owners come back home. 

Puppy! Squeeeee!

But yes. I loved watching them work together. It took a minute for love, but it was there and I feel like it was natural. 

The narrators were perfect. I've heard his voice before and he was so good still. Loveeeeeee his voice. Her voice was nice too. She sounded familiar but I don't recall her name. 

The ending...*chef kiss* adorable and perfect. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this one so much. Books, love, puppy, and baked goods. What more can you ask for?

5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Charming

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #58

2025 Romance Reading Bingo Challenge

Hosted by: Blodeuedd @ Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell Jen @ That's What I'm Talking About Carole @ Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

We are doing it again in 2025! It's the Romance Reading Challenge, hosted by Carole, Linda, and Jen! The challenge is to read a book and check the boxes! This year we have levels

List of Challenges (Romance books):

• Non-US/UK setting (real country)
• LGBTQ+
• TBR over 1 year
• Audiobook
• SciFi/Fantasy Romance
• Romantic Suspense
• Borrowed from Library
• “Highland” in the Title
• Any Non-Christmas Holiday setting
• MC over 35 years old
• Fake Dating trope
• Forced Proximity trope
• Non-Romance book with Flowers on the cover
• Pumpkins on the cover
• MC name starts with an “M”
• MC is a Rockstar
• Setting is in the 1700s
• MC works on a Farm
• Title is only One Word
• Sports Romance
• Shirtless Man on the cover
• Food on the cover
• MC is a Royal
• Snow/Ice on the cover
• Non-US Author

Rules:

• It MUST BE a romance novel (HFN/HEA), with the exception of the center square.
• One box per book. (If your book meets a couple of these, you have to pick just one.)
• No changing the box. Once you put a book in a box, you can't move it.
• Books can be used in other challenges. (examples: Goodreads, Library Love, TBR, Audiobook, etc.)
• The goal is to get at least one BINGO! (see levels below)
• The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
• You may join whenever.

Bingo Levels: 1 or 2 Bingos: 

Beginner 3 Bingos:

You're getting the hang of this! 4 Bingos: 

Expert Level Entire Sheet: 

Supreme Ruler of Bingo! 

If you want to add your blog or Goodreads to the list, click on the linky below. NOTE: You do not have to have a blog or URL to sign up!

So what level will you try in 2025?