The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles
LGBT Historical Romance
February 24, 2021, by KJC Books
Yeah, so I’m a KJ Charles fangirl. I admit it. Every new release I just want to grab up and read as soon as it hits my kindle, but on I also want to keep it in my pocket to look forward to when I need a pick me up after a bad day.
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting features the grumpy/sunshine trope to perfection. Robin Loxleigh, Mr. Charm, is in London with his sister in order to secure marriages that will lead to a comfortable life for both of them. The woman he has in his sights is an heiress with a gentle, sweet demeanor and an uncle who is sure Robin is up to no good.
John Hartlebury, Mr. Serious, is sure Robin is a fortune hunter with nefarious intentions. And he’s right. But every encounter with Robin leaves him more and more in lust with the handsome man and even almost breaking Robin in a game of chance doesn’t change how he feels. They come to an agreement which lands Robin in Hart’s bed and lord have mercy these two are fire together.
This book is fabulous. I enjoyed it so much, it reminded me a bit of this author’s Band Sinister. This couple worked for me in every single way. From Robin’s charming facade to Hart’s serious protectiveness, watching them work out what they really mean to each other and decide their future was lovely. They are surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters, my favorite of which is Marianne, Robin’s sister. It was such a pleasure to get to know these siblings and I absolutely adored seeing them trick the ton and then give certain members the set down they deserve at the end while protecting their loved ones.
This was a perfect read when I was looking for something fun, fast with just the right amount of heat. I love this author and look forward to the next release.
The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne
Devil You Know #3
Historical Romance
March 9, 2021, by St. Martin’s
ARC
Kerrigan Byrne is an author who has been on my auto-buy list for what seems like a very long while. I was pretty stoked to get an advanced copy of the third book in her Devil You Know series. Francesca is the last member of the Red Rogues to find love and win her HEA. With her mysterious past and the fact that her family was murdered and her home set afire, I was really excited to read her book.
I will admit the first 30% or so had me struggling to stay focused and I can’t pinpoint why exactly. Then the mysterious Chandler and Francesca finally have a moment and that moment leads to some almost sexy times and the revelation that he is the orphaned boy who she loved growing up. At that point, I was all in. Give me all the childhood memories and secret crushes and angst and drama. Here for it.
But then Francesca doesn’t admit who she really is, and Chandler has a big secret, he’s also a possessive, controlling dick at times and made me want to scream. It was HARD to root for them during certain scenes. But they did get the bad guys and I liked their HEA.
This is a middle of the road read for me from this author. Not my favorite, but I’m glad I finished it. And she’s still on my auto-buy list.
Final grade- C+
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
Contemporary Romance
March 16, 2021, by Berkley
ARC
The Dating Plan is the follow-up to last year’s The Marriage Game. This is Daisy’s story, Layla’s quirky super smart cousin. After reading and enjoying The Marriage Game and finding out that this book would feature the fake dating/engagement trope I couldn’t help but ask for a copy for review.
I liked this book. I liked Daisy and her fun personality and loving nature. She works for a start-up company writing code and is surrounded by a great group of secondary characters. She is paired with her brother’s BFF, her childhood crush Liam, who broke her heart when he bailed on their prom date and then stayed away for ten years. He shows up at the exact wrong time and inserts himself into a touchy situation. Daisy lets him know really quickly that he is the very last person she ever wants to see again.
Only he shows back up with a proposition… become his fiancee and then stay married to him for a year. This will help him save his inheritance and she will get her family, who keeps throwing eligible men her way, off her back for good. He will also help by lending a hand to the struggling start-up she works for.
I wasn’t sure if I would like Liam at first, he was a bit of an ass. (I HATED his brother so much). But he and Daisy did have chemistry and a whole history that helped me see them as a couple. Each chapter starts with some fun back and forth texts and I started to look forward to each new date and seeing how they would play out. The ending was nicely done and a great wrap-up to this love story.
My only gripe is that EVERYONE seemed to know that their relationship started out as fake. I wanted fake shenanigans! All in all, The Dating Plan was a quick, easy, enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading more books in this world.
Final grade- B
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