**We are going to try a new format at Smexy. Each day, one reviewer will post all the books she has read in the past seven days. Sometimes it may be long reviews like you are used to seeing. Sometimes they will be mini reviews. This gives each reviewer a week to read books, and their own day to talk about them. Mandi is Monday, Tori Tuesday, Sheena Wednesday, Helyce Thursday and Kini Friday. The Top Ten will be coming back this week, and we will still post a wrap-up and Smex Scene over the weekend. We are still accepting review requests as always and will be sprinkling in promo posts once in a while.
Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor
The Cavensham Heiresses, #3
Historical Romance
Released May 1, 2018
St Martin’s Paperbacks
Family, perseverance, and a case of mistaken identity are the themes of MacGdelightfullyghtfulyl feminist forward historical series, The Caversham Heiresses. In her third installment, MacGregor introduces us to a take-charge young heiress who is forced to commit fraud in order to secure her sibling’s well being after their parents’ deaths. Bold and bittersweet, MacGregor uses dry humor and striking narrative to draw attention to the inequalities of this era and the ease in which women and children were able to fall through the cracks after the death of parents and or guardians. A wealth of lively secondary characters offer plenty of humor and advice as a gentle romance slowly erupts between our hero and heroine. March’s brother steals the show on multiple occasions, showing wonderful wit and insight for one so young. Enchanting overall though readers may find the hero disappointing at times with his lack of forethought, condescending manner, and constant reminders of the heroine’s from grace.
When March Lawson’s repeated requests for money from her inheritance are left unanswered, she takes matters into her own hands and forges the trusty’s signature on the account. Left in charge of her brother and sisters at the age of sixteen, she has shouldered all the weight of their upbringing and the estate by herself. When her duplicity is discovered, she is summoned to London to answer for her crime. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, is shocked and enchanted by this woman who not only forged his signature but doesn’t appear all that sorry to have done so. In fact, she blames him for the whole situation. As Micheal works to win March and her siblings’ favor, not everyone is happy with the new romance and when secrets from March and Micheal’s pasts are brought into the public eye, Micheal must decide if pride or love will win the day.
Grade: B-
How to Walk Away by Katherine VCenter
Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Released: May 15, 2018
St Martin’s Press
Katherine Center celebrates the love, loss, hope, and rebirth in her latest release of a woman who is forced to re-evaluate her life after a tragic accident. Emotionally honest and poignant with a delightful thread of humor running through it, Center introduces us to Margaret Jacobsen, a 20 something who wakes from an injury with her life shattered. Readers share a front row seat with Margaret she returns to her childhood home to recuperate and piece together the fragments of her life while symontaniously dealing with her family’s dysfunctional ways and her fiancee’s guilt over her injuries. Narrated in a bright and bold voice with no filters, Margaret is forced to forcing to view her life and the choices she made through new eyes. When a romance develops in the most unlikely of places, Margaret sees a chance at a new future if she can come to terms with her past and present. How to Walk Away is a story of one woman’s journey through pain and betrayal to emerge triumphant as she and her family learn to embrace the challenges life has in store for her.
Margaret Jacobsen had it all; an exciting career, a gorgeous fiance, and a promising future. Until it was all taken from her in a single blinding flash. Waking up to discover her fiance drunk with guilt, her career all but destroyed, and her long lost sister suddenly back in the picture, Margaret must learn to accept to her new reality. Amidst all the guilt, self-pity, grief, anger, and smothering parents, a grumpy physical therapist offers Margaret a new chance at life and a chance at romance. As Margaret works hard to move forward with her life and her relationships with her family and friends, she discovers her life isn’t over but only taking her in a new direction if she is willing to take a chance and walk away from the old into the arms of the new.
Grade: B+
Up next Tuesday for review will be Sarina Bowen’s Speakeasy and Suzanne Wright’s Wild Hunger. I am currently reading Tiffany D. Jackson’s Mondays Not Coming and loving the gritty atmosphere Jackson is creating and the easy cadence of the narrative.
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