This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

An interesting premise but busy execution

While the idea of a marriage of convenience to a criminal is certainly a new one, and enough for me to take a second look, I found the execution a little convoluted and full of holes. What use is a marriage of convenience if one keeps it secret - and if her cousin is willing to force scandal to gain her hand, what makes Georgiana think this would work? The hero also has PTSD, but I felt this was a bit tacked on.

On the other hand, there are some genuinely touching and entertaining moments. Thea is delightful and likeable, even if some of her plans belie her cleverness. I also really liked how Wylde appreciated her for who she was - but would've loved it more if he'd managed to communicate her worth to her in a way which shut down those silly comparisons to her sister.

Wanted to love this book, found it a bit messy.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions are my own

The Gentleman's Deception by Karen Tuft

Lavinia needs to escape her past. Lucas prefers to face his past with a fiancee by his side. A chance meeting provides each with salvation in the form of each other - but how can a relationship built on lies and deception turn into something real?

Well, with great ease, apparently. With many shenanigans and drama along the way, this is a fun fake relationship romance. I enjoyed how they got to know each other and helped each other out. I also appreciate the family reconciliation and difficult conversations that resulted. A touching and genuine romance.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions are my own

Rogue Most Wanted by Janna McGregor

It's been a while since I've reviewed - partly due to reading less (thanks, 9-5!) and partly due to less interest in finishing and reviewing some of those books on my shelf.

This review is one that has taken a while to get to as I simply... lost interest as it neared the end. It wasn't a bad book - there was nothing awful about it, but while it was a decent read, I feel a bit misled by the title and blurb. Will is nowhere near a rogue, and this is less a marriage of convenience and more two people trying to convince themselves out of said marriage, when both desperately want it. I also wasn't a fan of the Midnight Crier - while an interesting device, some of the headlines indicate that they have spies within the loyal Caversham household and behind closed doors.

However, Thea was a delightful and interesting heroine, and Will an honourable gentleman (once he gets over his 'woe is me'). They had great chemistry and the entire family sound awesome. I just feel like their story could've been marketed a little better and the last part could've been edited to keep the momentum going.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions are my own

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple

This book will make you cry.

Well, I can't say it will for certain, but it certainly made me cry. When you read these kinds of books, you kinda expect to cry - or at least, I do. I simply didn't expect to be blinking back tears from nearly the first chapter.

It's not that this book is depressing - in fact, it's the opposite. It's the uplifting story of an old man and his friendship with a sick young boy, framed as a magician telling the story to his autobiographer. Not the most elegant of framing devices for a few reasons, but it works.

The shining part of this book is the titular Murray McBride. We meet him on his hundredth birthday, quietly ready to give up on life so he can see his beloved wife again. He is forgetful, crotchety, and terrible with technology. Watching him loosen up and appreciate life again, seeing him build relationships with those around him - it's beautiful.

If you're looking for a good old cryfest about unlikely friendships and living life in the shadow of death, pick this book up. Bring tissues.

Four stars.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions (and tears) are my own

Dance All Night by Alexis Daria

A Sweet and Steamy Holiday Novella

I've thoroughly enjoyed my first two forays into Alexis Daria's world of professional dancing. Her characters are vivid and flawed, their relationships tangible with just the right amount of sizzle. This novella is no different.

Nik has always been a roamer, but now he's met someone who makes him want to settle down. The only problem is convincing her of that. Jess gives him three dates culminating on New Year's Eve, otherwise they go their separate ways.

Nik takes full advantage of the holiday season to woo his prospective lady-love - it's a pity she's a confirmed Scrooge! Watching her learn to love the season will melt the heart of any miser. For a die-hard romantic like me, it was the perfect way to spend a few hours.

If you feel like tossing yourself into a glitzy Winter Wonderland (as opposed to whatever is happening with the weather right now, honestly), give this novella a go!

Four snowy stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Duke I Once Knew by Olivia Drake

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Award-winning author Olivia Drake begins her new Unlikely Duchesses series with THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW (St. Martin’s Paperbacks; December 31, 2018). With compelling characters and skillful plot twists, Drake’s latest novel will take your breath away.

First love is always the sweetest…

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Now, eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighboring estate. Unfortunately, her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. But since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to lay eyes on him ever again. 

Then, from out of nowhere, Max appears. He is stunned to come face to face with the girl next door he fell for years ago—before he went away, and she stopped writing to him … even though Abby swears that he is the one who left her without a word. Could it be that this spirited, witty spinster has won Max’s heart all over again—and that they may have a second chance at love?

REVIEW:

This is a classic second-chance historical romance, embellished with an overbearing family and a jealous rival. Max and Abby were childhood sweethearts, cruelly separated by time and circumstance. When they finally meet again (in one of the most awkward remeetings ever), it seems too much has passed for them to rekindle what once was.

The characters were varied and interesting, even if a few were a bit stock standard. In fact, this was my main quibble with this novel. I enjoyed the read overall, but I didn't find it particularly memorable. 

If you like historical romance, this is a decent read. I would recommend it, but wouldn't call it unmissable.

Three stars.

I received an ARC through St Martin's Press; all opinions are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Olivia Drake is the author of the Cinderella Sisterhood series (Seducing the Heiress, Never Trust a Rogue, Scandal of the Year, If the Slipper Fits, Stroke of Midnight, Abducted by the Prince, Bella and the Beast, His Wicked Wish, and The Scandalous Flirt). She has been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1981, and her novels have won the Golden Heart Award, Best Historical Romantic Suspense and Best Regency Historical from Romantic Times. She has also won the prestigious RITA award. She currently resides in Houston, TX.

Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250174376

Author website: http://oliviadrake.com/ 

Author Twitter: @OliviaDrake1

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Olivia-Drake-186133368670/ 

SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/ 

Revi

#Moonstruck by Sariah Wilson

I really wanted to love this book. On paper, it has all the elements I adore in a romance - it's a clean fake relationship rockstar romance. It's like my catnip! And to be fair, this isn't a terrible book. It's just let down by a strong theme of internalised misogyny.

I can handle a small cast. I can be disappointed that the promising female friendships near the start fade away, the only non-villainous females in the cast are a secondary love interest and the supportive best friend, and still get over it.

I'm really not keen on how the heroine slams the hero's fans, to his face, and is never corrected. He never stands up for them, explicitly dislikes the music he makes that they follow him for. I was uncomfortable but willing to let it slide if she showed growth or was called out on it, but that never happened. Her viewpoint stood unopposed.

I've been there, in that crowd of screaming fans. I've followed and liked and binged YouTube interviews and music videos and behind the scenes. I've made friends and signs and shoddy gifs. I came away from the book feeling like the main character, and the author, would look down on me for this. I have no patience for a book about a rockstar who won't defend his fans. I'm not here for girls getting called "pleeches" (plastic leeches) for daring to be pretty and scoring a meet and greet with their idol.

Listen, the rest of the romance is nice enough, but it's been weeks since I first read the word 'pleeches' and it's not clever or funny, it's just mean.

Three stars.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley