The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran is $1.99! This was Duran’s debut historical, and Sarah reviewed it back in 2008 and gave it a B-. She struggled with the heroine, but looooved the hero:
Julian was tortured and noble, and though he didn’t change so much as come to own himself and the power at his disposal in both of the cultures that shaped him, his journey was fascinating. Julian was marvelous, and did things I wished heroes in other historical novels would do, including beating the ever living shit out of someone who truly deserved it, and being vindicated for doing so. YUM.
RECOMMENDED: The Stand-In by Lily Chu is $1.99! This is a debut contemporary romance. Elyse gave this one an A:
So we have a celebrity romance, women being friends and helping each other with their mental health, and reflections on identity and community. That’s a lot to pack into a book, but it all works and delivered by Philippa Soo’s incredibly soothing voice, it was totally my jam.
RECOMMENDED: Someone in Time edited by Jonathan Strahan is 99c! Thank you to everyone who let us know about this one. Carrie gave this one an A:
I can’t remember the last time I read an anthology in which every story touched me so much. Some have happy endings and some do not, but all of them are deeply affirming of the idea that human relationships, specifically romantic ones, are important.
A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie Caña is $2.99! This was Caña’s debut and features rivals to lovers and fake dating. The second book in the series is out this summer. Lots of good food and drink descriptions!
Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter is 99c! This is the first book in a new series for Hunter and Catherine gave it a B-. She felt the mystery element didn’t have the same satisfying resolution as the romance. I liked this one a little better (maybe a B or B+).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I found it to be feminist and sexy, loving and funny. It was the book I had no idea I needed and it comforted me right down to my toes. I absolutely recommend this as a holiday de-stressor and I am hoping that there is a more inclusive sequel for some of the supporting characters.
Among my favorite things about Laurenston’s writing is how very affirming and inspiring and a whole lot of fun it is, because angry, fearless women make room for themselves, they get shit done, and they’re the heroines. More honey badgers, please.
If you like time travel or gothic romance I think there’s a lot to like here. However, gothic romance fans should note that romance itself is fairly sweet and light and the gothic elements are more embedded in the various ghost and murder subplots.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James is $1.99! James is a bit of a favorite here, especially with Elyse, and tends to write historical fiction with mystery and romantic elements. This one jumps between 1950 and 2014 Vermont. Are you a fan?
How Sweet It Is by Dylann Newton is $1.99! I believe this was Newton’s debut and it release relatively recently. It’s an opposites attract romance between a horror writer and a wedding planner. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this one!
