Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath
Sins for All Seasons #6
Historical Romance
September 29, 2020, by Avon
ARC
This is the last book in the Sins for All Seasons series and features the last Trewlove sibling, Benedict aka Beast.
If you’ve read the previous five installments then you know that the Trewloves were all (except for Fancy) taken in as infants by Mama Trewlove and given a good and loving, but poor home. Beast doesn’t know who his parents are or why he was given up as a baby. He’s grown up to be a big, strong, loyal man and protector. In theory, he owns a brothel…. but he really doesn’t. He’s just there to keep a promise and protect the women who work there and hopefully help them find a way to a better life eventually.
Althea Stanwick has lived her whole life in the lap of privilege. That is until her father is branded a traitor and hanged. Now she and her brothers are destitute and living day to day on the income they can earn on the docks or serving drinks in a tavern. She meets Beast one evening at work and soon discovers his protective instincts now include keeping her safe.
I liked this couple. I really did. They have an unusual courtship, but it worked for me. There is a whole lot of respect and consent between them and that really worked for me. Beast is determined to do the right thing, regardless of how much he wants Althea, but I liked that he listened to her and didn’t steamroll over her opinions and decisions. Of course, their HEA is delayed a bit by a big surprise toward the end, but don’t be too worried, it doesn’t take them long to figure it all out.
I was thankful for the epilogue and getting to check-in with everyone years later, enjoying the holidays as one big, happy family. The next series by this author will feature Althea’s brothers and I am super excited.
Final grade- B-
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Contemporary/Holiday Romance
October 6, 2020, by Gallery Books
ARC
Books by Christina Lauren tend to be hit or miss for me since they have turned more toward Women’s Fiction rather than hardcore Romance. I really miss their open door, down and dirty love scenes. *sad face*
Nevertheless, my brain immediately goes into gimme mode as soon as I see a new release by this author duo. Case in point, I’m not even a holiday book reader, but I hit the download button as soon as this came up for review. LOL. I worry about myself sometimes.
In a Holidaze ended up being a perfect blend of cozy holiday read, sweet romance, and heartwarming, quirky fun. Kind of Groundhog Day meets Hallmark movie, readers meet Maelyn, who keeps having to repeat the same Christmas vacation over and over again until she gets it right after asking the universe to show her what would make her happy after a particularly shitty holiday.
I simply adored the supporting cast, all of them. The theme of found family is one of my faves and every one of these secondary characters brought something lovely to the mix.
The main protagonists are both likable and charming, and I thought they had great chemistry. I really liked them together. Their HEA was perfect for the story and made me a happy sigh at the end.
This is one of my favorites by this author and I highly recommend. Especially if you are about to go on a holiday romance glom.
Final Grade- B+
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Contemporary Romance
September 15, 2020, by Berkley
ARC
I was intrigued by the premise of this romance as soon as the blurb was released. A porn star and an uptight east coast elite thrown together as roommates satisfied both my love of the forced proximity trope and my need for something fresh and new in the romance genre.
Readers are introduced to Clara, who has moved across the country so that she can finally find out if her BFF from childhood is also her true love. And to Josh, the darling of the porn scene who truly enjoys giving women pleasure, but senses that his life may be changing when he refuses demands made by the company who owns his contract.
The Roommate is a sex-positive, charming romance that was just what I needed. This couple had tremendous chemistry and even though I expected a little more angst to their relationship, there was surprisingly little until a late in the book break up that doesn’t even last that long. What you do get is a great strangers to friends to lovers to in love romance, a lot of super hot sex scenes, and a sweet HEA.
Recommend.
Final grad- B
I really loved The Roommate, more than you. I gave it a 5 star/A rating. I read it twice. Josh was so sweet. I also really loved the exploration of female pleasure.