The Earl Takes a Fancy by Lorraine Heath
Sins for All Seasons #5
Historical Romance
March 31, 2020 by Avon
ARC
We are nearing the end of the Trewlove siblings series. The Earl Takes a Fancy is, as you can guess, Fancy’s book. She is the youngest of the Trewlove family and the only child born to the matriarch of the clan. Her brothers and sister are SUPER protective of her and determined that she is going to marry a rich, titled man and live a life of luxury. Fancy would rather work in her bookshop, teach reading classes to both the young and old, and procure books for her lending library. But, she knows what her family wants for her and she wants to make them happy.
Her hero is Matthew Somersby, the Earl of Rosemont. He late wife trapped him into marriage by arranging them to be caught in a compromising position and he has never forgiven her for it. She even torments in after her death by having a letter published singing his praises and hoping for him to meet a new wife. To escape all the hopeful young ladies and grasping mommas, he leaves his Mayfair estate and vanishes into London.
This was a very slow build romance. I wasn’t sure if it would even hold my attention at first, but it did. Fancy meets Matthew and has no idea that he is anything other than just a normal guy from the neighborhood. They talk, they get to know each other and Fancy is 100% honest about who she is, what her family wants for her, and her relationships with them. Matthew on the other hand is at first hesitant to admit that he is titled, afraid that she is going to try and trap him like his first wife. But as their attraction grows and they begin to develop an intimacy he can’t seem to admit to her that he has been less than honest.
I really enjoyed the slow burn romance between these two and completely believed their HEA. I did have some issues with Matthew toward the end when he STILL hadn’t told her who he really was and then cut her out after ‘the big misunderstanding’. Mainly because he should have known she would never have done what he accused her of doing. My other issue was that the ending for this book went on and on and on and on. LOL. I mean, I like a good epilogue, but this was just too much.
Not my favorite of the series, but it was enjoyable. I am super excited for Beast’s book and the conclusion.
Final Grade- C+/B-
Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris
Sebastian St. Cyr #15
Historical Mystery
April 7, 2020 by Berkley
ARC
I glommed this entire series last year and had a heck of a good time doing it. For a few months there I think I recommended it to every single person I talked to. It’s just so well done.
In this installment Sebastian is called out when the body of an accused murderer and disgraced son of an aristocrat is found in a tea garden. Many in London are shocked to learn that not only was he still alive, but that he had may have returned with revenge in mind. Sebastian is determined to find out what his motives were, who killed him, and the identity and location of the child he brought with him. All of this hits home for Sebastian who was himself wrongly accused and could have suffered the same fate as Nicholas.
As with any of the installments in this series, this book was tightly paced, richly descriptive and full of action and suspense. I love Sebastian and his wonderful close knit friends and family who he relies on. I have to say the ending to this one brought a tear to my eye and had me sniffling a bit.
Another great entry into a truly wonderful historical mystery series. I can not wait until my next adventure with this author.
Final grade- B+
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