Never Trust a Pirate does not include a single iota of historical accuracy, but it sure is a lot of fun. This Regency romance by Valerie Bowman is about spies, a map, derring-do, disguises, how to fix one’s hair in the latest French style, and the importance of knowing how to swim. This book takes place after The Irresistible Rogue, in which Captain Rafferty Cavendish wooed his wife Daphne while the two of them engaged … Continue reading Never Trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman →
For those following Sarah MacLean’s Scandal and Scoundrel series, The Day of the Duchess is finally Seraphina and Malcolm, Duke of Haven’s, story. Malcolm was the one who got knocked ass-over-teakettle into a fish pond in The Rogue Not Taken and launched the whole series with his soggy duke-pants. Now, you don’t need to read the other books to read this one, but I do think the series works really well in order. That said, … Continue reading The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean →
Stealing the Rogue’s Heart is the fourth book in the Rookery Rogues series. I loved the first book in the series, A Dangerous Invitation super hard. The series is set in London’s East End and follows the lives of people who—gasp!—are not in the aristocracy. I so want more historicals that don’t follow only the upper classes. You don’t have to read the series in order, but a lot of the characters from previous books … Continue reading Stealing the Rogue’s Heart by Erica Monroe →
Oh, how I loved The Devil’s Submission. I wished it were longer than just a novella. First of all, it’s one of the few erotic romances, let alone historicals, that I’ve read that features a submissive hero. And this is how that submissive hero is described: “I mean look at you: disheveled, ink-spotted, spectacles…like an absentminded clerk. But you are the coldest of bastards. Reyburn is well rid of you. As is your runaway wife.” … Continue reading The Devil’s Submission by Nicola Davidson →
Apparently I have a reading quirk. When I am sick, and only when I’m sick, I have to read Maya Rodale. Her work has too many cute pop culture references to suit me in a normal state. But when I’m loaded up on Nyquil, nothing makes me quite as happy as a Maya Rodale novel. Lady Claire Is All That is a homage to the movie She’s All That, but since I am apparently one … Continue reading Lady Claire Is All That by Maya Rodale →
Look to the Stars was exactly the book I needed to read at exactly the right moment I needed to read it. Lately my brain has been in over-drive, catastrophizing and just generally keeping me from sleeping soundly. Look to the Stars was the perfect Regency novella to reset my mind – it’s light on conflict, although the conflict is still there, and I loved the main characters. It’s more a short chronicling of a … Continue reading Look to the Stars by Olivia Kelly →
Seven Minutes in Heaven is written with Eloisa James’ customary wit and charm. It’s an enchanting book with one major caveat – the main conflict could have been resolved in Chapter One if people just spoke clearly. I’m not a fan of stories that revolve around a misunderstanding. Still, I enjoyed it because the writing is so good and the characters so delightful. Edward Reeve, AKA Ward, is in desperate need of a governess who … Continue reading Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James →
The Duke Who Knew Too Much blends Regency romance, mystery and kink–a formula that I expect will intrigue a lot of readers (especially those looking for more erotic historicals). There are a lot of things going on in this book–a lot– but the author weaves them all together well. The only thing that really irked me was the hero’s insistence that he’s incapable of feels, mostly because I’m sick of emotionally constipated dukes. Anyway, the … Continue reading The Duke Who Knew Too Much by Grace Callaway →
No Groom at the Inn is a delightful holiday Regency novella. It’s like the perfect little macaron–a pop of sweetness, but not so much that your teeth ache. Lady Sophronia Bettesford is the impoverished daughter of a recently deceased earl. With no money and no prospects, she’s looking to family for support–which means moving in with a cousin to help raise said cousin’s six children and twenty-seven chickens. I honestly would prefer the chickens to the children. … Continue reading No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton →
An Improper Holiday is a m/m romance novella set during the Regency period. Regency people weren’t all that big on the actual day of Christmas (this was post-mistletoe, but pre-Christmas trees, cards, and presents). However, Regency people loved to party, and they kicked off their festivities on Christmas night and carried on for twelve days. Apparently there was some controversy over exactly when the twelve nights actually started and stopped. I like to imagine that … Continue reading An Improper Holiday by K.A. Mitchell →
NB: Have we mentioned that we love a good squee? Because we do. We love hearing about which books made you feel absolutely over the moon, or ones that you’ve connected with on deep, emotional levels. This particular squee comes from Poppy. Poppy is a long-time fan of SBTB and loves cats, books and coffee, in that order. There is also a trigger warning at the beginning of the review, but in case you miss it … Continue reading Guest Squee: Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan →
