Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne
A Goode Girls Romance #2
Historical Romance
12/08/2020 Self Published
I really love this author, which is why I picked up this self-published spin-off of her Victorian Rebels series. The first book featured Sir Carlton Morley and the middle Goode sister, Prudence.
This is the eldest Goode sister Honoria’s book. You meet her and her dastardly husband in book one. Courting Trouble picks up immediately where the book leaves off and then ambles around a bit through Honoria’s past and her childhood romance with the hero, Titus.
I enjoyed this romance, although it isn’t my favorite by this author. Both the backstory and present-day romance felt a bit rushed. Especially once Honoria started recuperating at Titus’s hospital. There isn’t much talking before they jump each other’s bones again and the HEA comes not too long after. A quick, fun read.
I am interested in the last two Goode sisters and seeing how they fit into this expanding world, especially Mercy and the mysterious Raphael Sauvageau. Seems I won’t have to wait too long. Dancing with Danger has a release date of 02/09/2021.
Final grade- B-
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Mystery/Thriller
01/05/2021 St. Martin’s Press
A more modern take on Jane Eyre, The Wife Upstairs kept me flipping pages well into the night.
Set in Alabama, in a real housewives like neighborhood, Ms. Hawkins introduces Jane, a down on her luck young woman who spent her formative years in the foster care system. Thornfield Estates feels like a whole other world and Jane is very much an outsider looking in while walking resident’s dogs and pilfering the occasional piece of jewelry in order to get by. Until she meets Edward Rochester and her status and circumstances change.
Yet she is still haunted by the memory of his dead wife, Bea.
This was a well-done mystery. I am a big fan of retellings and this one hit its mark perfectly. The pacing kept me thoroughly engaged and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t say that I really liked any of the characters, both primary and secondary… but I don’t think I was supposed to.
Overall, I spent an enjoyable afternoon reading and am glad I picked this book for review.
Final grade- B
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