Olivia by Julie Matern {Book Review}

 

Olivia by Julie Matern

 

She is an over-educated bluestocking who has never met a debate she did not like. He is the boy next door. Will she realize the perfect man is right in front of her?

Olivia is the oldest of the four, beautiful Deverell sisters. She is also a reformed tomboy whose best friend is the earl next door. But she has reached the age where she is expected to marry—and her sisters can’t ‘come out’ until she does. Philosophy, politics and debate of any subject are the tools of her trade but these might not get her far among the social elite of London.

With little enthusiasm for her season, she has a change of heart when she learns that an eminent young scientist will also be in town. Orchestrating events to meet him, she is surprised when he invites her to help him with his work. Could this be a match made in heaven?

Olivia is Book 1 in the Women of Worcester series.

 AMAZON

My Review: 4 Stars

It's always fun for me to read a series about a family and Olivia is the eldest sister and her story is Book 1 in the series.

Olivia is smart and what could be considered a bluestocking. Since she must marry, she's determined to do it her way and can't see what's right in front of her face.

I found this story to be short, sweet, and enjoyable. Matern does a good job with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. It's always interesting to see how invested other family members could be at the time. The road to true love isn't always visible or easy, and it was amusing to read about Olivia's experiences. I'm now curious to read about the rest of the family.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*  

Dandelion Meadows by Jen Spencer {Book Review}

 

Dandelion Meadows by Jen Spencer

The last thing Emma Dustin wants is to come crawling back to Dandelion Meadows with her tail between her legs, but a misunderstanding at her financial planning firm has left her without a job and without another option. Uncle Harvey, may he rest in peace, left Emma his house plus the little piece of land he used to farm, and there is nowhere else for her to go. Despite her humiliation at coming home unemployed, Emma is determined to fulfill Uncle Harvey’s last wish, even though she isn’t quite sure what it is. Is it possible for Emma to make a life in Dandelion Meadows? And will the mayor put her in charge of Sandpaper Awareness Week?

One-time cowboy and full-time geologist Matt Matthews is not the bad guy, even if Emma Dustin thinks he is. He’s only trying to restore his father’s money, the money that Emma’s uncle Harvey cheated his father out of. Harvey must have had some remorse because he left Matt the house in his will, but Emma Dustin has the nerve to show up and claim the house is hers. Well, possession is nine-tenths of the law, and Matt isn’t about to move out. Unfortunately, neither is Emma. Emma is cute and irresistibly feisty, but she’s in Matt’s way, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get her out of his house and away from Dandelion Meadows. Can he get rid of his unwelcome housemate before he falls in love with her?

My Review: 3 Stars

Small town romances are always a lot of fun, especially when they involve a slew of quirky characters and amusing situations. An added enemies-to-love trope made this story full of entertaining friction.

A bonus lesson found within these pages is the reminder that things aren't always as they seem.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint {Book Review}

 Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint

London, 1815

Olivia Wilde has resigned herself to never finding a love match. Her father has insisted she marry a man with a title, but the men her father deems acceptable are either boring or are only interested in increasing their own diminishing coffers. With her future looking dismal, Olivia vows to enjoy the last few months of freedom with her childhood friends, including Emerson Latham. His devilish smile and flirtatious teasing stirs up feelings she knows she cannot entertain.

Emerson is struggling to rise to his responsibilities after his father’s death. Though he is still learning his place, one thing he knows for certain is that he wants Olivia Wilde to be his wife. Emerson had long ago fallen in love with her quick wit, beauty, and passionate heart. Yet, without a title, he will never be permitted to court Olivia openly. But he has a plan that may give him a chance to court her in secret.

As the Season kicks off, Emerson proposes a playful game of tag. Olivia’s friends are delighted by the idea, though Olivia is wary. After all, the game must be played in secret as they tag each other at dinners and balls. As the romance builds between Olivia and Emerson, so does the risk of being discovered. Not only are their reputations at stake, so is their safety if they are caught by Olivia’s strict father.

Can their love find a happily ever after before the game ends?

BUY ON AMAZON

My Review: 4 Stars

Sometimes the flirtatious banter and games is a lot of fun and something it comes across as too lighthearted. This story was a mixture of both. Emerson and Olivia have been friends since childhood and now big decisions are ready to be made. Do you stay loyal to your father or your heart?

The ballroom games really did provide a lot of entertainment and it was easy to picture myself in the ballroom as a late teen/young adult, but at times, it was hard to take Emerson seriously because it seemed all was in jest and his true motives were disguised. His spontaneous decisions did allow for some very hilarious moments though, and I did find myself smiling and laughing more than I was expecting to.

I enjoyed the delightful cast of characters and although I would have loved a dash more of romance, it was sweet and satisfying.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Her Country Gentleman by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden and Rebecca Connolly {Book Review}

 

Her Country Gentleman by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly

Kindle Edition, 300 pages
Published March 8th 2022 by Mirror Press
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

BUY HERE

London is not the only place to find love . . .

SPRING AT TRIBBLEY HALL by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

LOVE OF MY HEART by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?


MISS SMITH GOES TO WILTSHIRE by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status, but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities, and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great.
Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it.
Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in the country in a small town or maybe it's that life it so crazy right now, but I loved this collection and it spoke straight to my soul. 

 

There are many ways to find love and it was refreshing to find it in the quiet corner of a sheep farm by the sea, with a dash of mystery, as well as in the countryside of Scotland, and in a dilapidated piece of quiet land. Each of these stories was so entertaining and soothing. I could visualize the settings and almost smell the earth. The gentle romances were equally pacifying.

 

My favorite thing was the overall feeling of an almost spring-like tenderness of hope, love, and renewal. This was an easy and delightful book to settle into and I loved every minute of it.

 

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril in the first story

 

The Valet's Secret by Josi S. Kilpack {Book Review}

 

The Valet's Secret by Josi S. Kilpack
Paperback, 288 pages
Published March 8th 2022 by Shadow Mountain

A passionate kiss from a handsome valet becomes a Regency Cinderella story when he is revealed to be the heir to the earldom.

York, England, 1819

As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom—Kenneth Winterton.

Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca's life does that . . . except how he feels when she is with him.

Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales—until she finds herself living in one.

 

 My Review: 5 Stars

Josi Kilpack has a magical way of pulling me into her books and this one was no exception. I'm not a big fan of reading about couples my age or older for some reason, and although Kenneth (48) and Rebecca (42) are right in there, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would and I was rooting for them to find love, happiness, and companionship once again.

I love how this author tackles more difficult topics and things not written about as much in the Regency time period and with a stretch of the imagination, this story delivers a Cinderella feel to a couple mismatched in status, but the electrifying first meeting had me desperate for more.

Kenneth is someone who came to his title later and is grappling to find his footing in a world so foreign and Rebecca is stumbling to find security after discovering the true nature of her father. Yet they each complement each other in only the best ways possible and their meetings and interactions were simply wonderful.

I loved the flow and progression of the story and even the villainous characters were well-written, drawing up a lot of feelings and emotion. I loved wallowing in the depths of hope. This book was so much fun and was very entertaining, especially with the surprising hints of swoon.

Content: mild abuse/violence; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Beyond the Lavender Fields by Arlem Hawks {Review}

 

 

Beyond the Lavender Fields by Arlem Hawks

BUY HERE

5 Stars

I don't know what the difference is for me--probably the romance--but I love learning about historical in a historical romance format. Arlem Hawks dives deep into 1792 France and the issues dividing the country, and the story comes alive with brilliantly written characters and descriptive settings and situations. 

I love how boldly Marie-Caroline rejects Gilles right from the start and each time she sees him. She's a strong young woman who desperately wants to fight for her cause, yet she's slightly vulnerable enough to need more than she realizes. Gilles wants the same, but his loyalties are for the opposing view, and coming to learn and understand, rather than assume, causes him to reevaluate his opinions and allegiance. 

This story flowed like a river--smooth and constant at times and turbulent at others--and I thought it feel the mood of the book perfectly. It's obvious this author is passionate about her research and content and it sucked me right in. 

Content: mild war-type violence; mild romance 

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

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The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews {Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Book Review}

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

 

Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she's worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she'll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London's attention she'll need a habit-maker who's not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row's infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?

MY REVIEW: 5 STARS

I love a book that delves into common, real-world life, allowing the reader to dive into a wonderful world of escape, while maintaining a level of relatability. I loved how the characters weren't your typical heroes. Instead, they represented a unique aspect and the deep research was obvious and appreciated.

Matthews is shockingly talented at drawing a reader right in from the very first page and I found the characters, Evelyn and Ahmad, both captivating and endearing. Evelyn is no stranger to mistaken identity, as many see her as a bluestocking, and works hard to maintain hope, while Ahmad struggles to truly fit in and belong. They each see something in the other that others overlook and as their friendship grows, the subtle chemistry simmers in an underlying current. 

This story was enchanting and delightful and I can't wait for more!

Content: mild language; mild romance; mild innuendo

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

ADVANCE PRAISE

“…a tender and swoon worthy interracial, cross-class romance in Victorian London…Readers will delight in this paean to women’s fashion and horseback riding.”— Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Matthews brings the Victorian era to vivid life with meticulously researched details and an impossible romance made believable and memorable.”— Booklist, starred review

“Matthews deftly underscores racial and gender discrimination in Victorian London in this excellent start to ‘The Belles of London’ series; rather than overshadowing, it propels the romance. Romance aficionados who love fashion and animals will delight in this tender romance and will be excited to see Evelyn’s friends in future installments.” — Library Journal, starred review

"Unflinching, tender, and moving, the delicately crafted The Siren of Sussex might just be my favourite work from Mimi Matthews; it certainly is one of my favourite historical romance reads this year."— Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Portrait of a Scotsman

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. 

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB |

GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Mimi has generously offered a fabulous giveaway package that book tour participants can add to their posts and on social media. Here are the details:

Timeframe: Jan 4 - Feb 7, 2022

Terms & Conditions:

Giveaway hosted by Mimi Matthews. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. Void where prohibited.

The Giveaway Package:

1 winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) receives the following:

Signed print copy of The Siren of Sussex
Horse scarf
Pewter sidesaddle brooch (made in Sussex, England!)
The Siren of Sussex tote bag
Three candles in scents: Fresh Hay, New Saddle, and Winter Ride
Box of Ahmad Tea (60 count, assorted flavors)
The Siren of Sussex bookmark

The giveaway is open from 12:01 am Pacific time 1/4/22 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 2/7/22.

The winner will be announced on Mimi's blog - mimimatthews.com – at 8:00 pm Pacific time on 2/8/22.
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway