I've had this book checked out on KU since the beginning of September 2022, thinking "eh, maybe one day it'll catch my interest." Cue to: UGH, why didI've had this book checked out on KU since the beginning of September 2022, thinking "eh, maybe one day it'll catch my interest." Cue to: UGH, why didn't I start this sooner???
When there's a series with 4+ books on the same character, especially when it's a romance, you're going to get one of three things: 1. Constant drama and angst and breakups between the MCs 2. Fluffy and unnecessary word count (I'm looking at you, Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series) 3. A fun and well plotted romp with little adventures per book that feels fresh
I'm currently on book 4 (of 9!) for this series and am going back to write reviews (dang, it's hard when the books are short and in omnibus form because I just want to binge and write one review) and I can confirm it feels like a glorious #3.
Adeline Boo Pond is a succubus with a problem: she doesn't like to feed from or hurt humans. She doesn't have a great support system (she has her lazy mentor, Landon, who's basically a video game couch potato, and her selfish cousin Julian, an incubus), isn't very powerful, and is caught in a web of three ultra-powerful demons who decide she should be THEIR succubus.
A few chapters in I posted to my Instagram story (shameless plug: @virgoreader) that I was hoping it was turning into an insta-enemies to lovers story and… spoiler alert… it does. Adeline is a rare succubus who doesn't want to fall into immediate lust and she tries to keep boundaries up over the guys, who (try to) treat her with a heavy hand of control. But Adeline Boo Pond will not be defeated!! I snap back to reality. Adeline Boo Pond will not be owned. Even by such scrumptious man candy.Arms lifting, I pop my middle fingers up at them in the universal sign language of Not today, assholes.Kicking off my high heels, I chuck them at the security guy's head, then climb onto the narrow ledge of the DJ booth and swan dive into the crowd below.
This series is FUNNY. So many little tidbits and one liners made me chuckle and break out the blue highlighter (if you don't use the blue highlighter for LOLs on Kindle… what are you doing). Here's just one example of a scenario that made me chuckle:
One of the demons steals all her clothes and replaces them with a super tiny hot pink top and sweatpants - with "YES" in gold sequins across the chest and butt. They do this the day of her interview at the bank with another on the demons, because she wants a loan. She Sharpie's the top to say "Say YES to Boo's Boutique Bakery" and the butt…
Confident, I turn and walk toward the door, putting an extra sway in my step to shake the gold YES on my ass at him. Beneath it, in sharpie, I'd changed it to read Say, YES, to one more bite. COME ON.
Each book also feels fresh - they're short and weave easily from one to the next… each one is around 200 pages (the omnibus of 1-3 is 619 pages) so they're a bit hard to differentiate, but easy to binge.
I'm giving these a 5 because the joy I have while reading them?? Unparalleled. ...more
Picture this: a Victorian-era lady-gang hell bent on taking down awful men and looking good doing it... with a love story between a scandalous lady anPicture this: a Victorian-era lady-gang hell bent on taking down awful men and looking good doing it... with a love story between a scandalous lady and a loyal and protective hero who proves some men deserve rights.
I have wanted a Sesily/Caleb story SINCE Day of the Duchess. Remember when their story was originally going to be a bonus novella - maybe not even in print?? I am so happy that Sarah took the time she needed to craft this story.
I’ve loved almost all of Sarah’s books, but I’ll admit Daring and the Duke (her last published historical) wasn’t my favorite. Combined with the fact that I haven't picked up a historical in ages, I really had to pump myself up to read this one. But once I started... I couldn't put it down.
First of all, the friends...
I love a good found family and this one presented a found family I haven't seen before: powerful, slighted, and forgotten women of the early Victorian era who come together to reclaim power and protect each other. I loved the dynamic of the four main friends, and how we're slowly introduced to their exploits. While I'm not sold on the concept of book 2 of the series (Heartbreaker, a road trip romance between a wallflower and a duke due out in August), I'm jazzed for book 3, which should follow the explosion-enthusiastic Imogen and Inspector Peck. And I can't even imagine where we'll go with the lofty and influential Duchess.
The quartet had come together in circumstances born of serendipity and necessity. The duchess had been looking for brilliant women who had little to fear from society, and she’d found them in Imogen, who came with an expertise in things both extremely useful and extremely dangerous; Adelaide, whose meek exterior made her a superior thief; and Sesily—scandalous Sesily—who had shocked society so many times that few even noticed when she disappeared from a ballroom, scoundrel in tow.
I loved this line of dialogue, of Sesily explaining to Caleb how she fell in with her friends:
“When you’re a person who wants something different than what society offers you . . . than what society tells you is the only correct path . . . you are grateful when a different one is illuminated. Even more so when it becomes clear that others are on the path. And that they will walk it with you.”
The writing was pure magic. I haven't read a historical, much less a Sarah Maclean, in so long that I forgot how... wonderfully poetic they can be. I feel like it's more rare in contemporary/modern settings for the writing to be truly fun - like two partners fencing. Not just the dialogue, but the inner monologue - the character's thoughts, struggles, inner voice. I was literally giggling with delight at how happy the writing made me.
And of course, the love story. It's why we're all here, right?
The Sesily/Caleb story was teased in Sesily's sister Sera's book, Day of the Duchess, which I highly recommend. Caleb and Sera became friends in America and returned to England to open a bar and for her to ask her husband for divorce. Strictly platonic, Sesily is attracted to him immediately but he holds her at arms length. We get a cameo of them in the Bareknuckle Bastards series but again... arms length.
Even for most of this book, Caleb appeared indifferent. But we as the audience get to hear his inner turmoil.
I am yours. The words flashed, but he did not say them. He was not a fool.
While I may not be particularly passionate about Sesily/Caleb as "one of my favorite couples of all time" - this is certainly a new favorite book, for all the reasons above.
This book is everything I want from a historical romance, and has the lovely aspect of feeling more modern with the inclusion of characters of color, though neither the heroine or hero are. I could go into a whole tangent of how today we retroactively think of 1800's England as glaringly white, but it wasn't. It's nice that stories are starting to exit the all white aristocratic cast and include everyday people from the era as well....more
In a testament to the fact that marketing works and book people can be influenced by pretty covers and character art - I read this book after coming aIn a testament to the fact that marketing works and book people can be influenced by pretty covers and character art - I read this book after coming across the author’s Instagram and learning the hardcover book features character art (on the book itself) and she has cute book items on her Etsy including character art and maps.
You’re really expecting me to see those things and NOT pick up the book?!
This is book 1 in the Entangled with Fae series and takes place about 20 years after her Fair Isle Trilogy - however you do not need to read the trilogy before reading this (the heroine is mentioned a few times but does not make an appearance). This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling which is my freaking catnip, I will always read BATB stories. It also exists in a new Fae world, which is exciting and interesting as we just get a glimpse of this “new universe”.
There were definite ACOTAR vibes in this book (the first book in the series) due to the BATB setting and the curse on the hero, but I also felt some comparisons to The Deal With the Elf King because of the trickery/deals, curse, and type of romance. Ironically, I didn’t really like either of those books but really enjoyed this one.
I would classify it more as YA fantasy over romance. There is one sex scene but it’s very abstract and alluded to over actually steamy. Also, the romance is very tame and slow - it’s a single POV book so we see the hero and different situations only from the heroine’s eyes.
Go into this with the right expectations and I think you’ll really enjoy it.
CW: heroine is bullied for past physical relationship with a man she was not married or engaged to...more
The world needs more Kraken romances. There’s something… Dare I say… sensual… about tentacles. Also the opportunities for Discovery Channel/octopus joThe world needs more Kraken romances. There’s something… Dare I say… sensual… about tentacles. Also the opportunities for Discovery Channel/octopus jokes are so great.
I liked this book more than Three of Hearts. I think the premise of this one was simpler and the emotional relationship developed in a realistic and interesting way.
Gideon sees Rose and immediately knows she’s his mate. He stalks and hunts her, proposing a sexual liaison when he realizes she’d be unreceptive to a relationship as she was recently burned.
I love fated mates tropes so it’s no surprise that was my favorite aspect of this book. A fated mate where the guy is 100% in and has to convince the heroine?! Even better.
The main plot line took a bit of a back burner but that didn’t bother me at all and I still felt there was emotional plot and a fil plot with payoff. ...more
This book is so many awesome things rolled up into sexy packaging. A setting of Victorian era England; a heroine who loves sex and becomes a sex workeThis book is so many awesome things rolled up into sexy packaging. A setting of Victorian era England; a heroine who loves sex and becomes a sex worker; reverse harem; monster heroes.
Esther Reed is a maid in a well to do home who at the open of the novel is spying on her mistress being treated for "female hysteria" by a doctor (yes, a Victorian era vibrator). Through a series of events, she finds a new post at Rooksgrave Manor, where she is told she'll be treated well and find work more suited to her interests... but little else.
I turned my attention to the hall we entered, dimly lit with lamps, and my feet tripped on the thin carpet as I saw the art on the walls. Every painting stole my breath, all vividly depicted images of naked women, faces torn with pleasure, being taken by monsters.
The book is sex-heavy, given the plot of Esther finding her "clients", but it's surprisingly sweet, with a sprinkle of mystery. Esther feels no embarrassment or shame for her sexual desires, even before she comes to Rooksgrave Manor.
I was wanton, wicked, too passionate, and too loose. Depraved even. All of that, and I was valued for it, displayed as precious and coveted.
I've never read a book like this before, and it's so unique and fun and wild. I can't wait to read more from the series, and I'm happy each book in the series will be about a different group of people (standalones)....more
My favorite in the Union of the Rakes series! I felt this one was strong all the way through (unlike in several other Eva Leigh’s when I felt the bookMy favorite in the Union of the Rakes series! I felt this one was strong all the way through (unlike in several other Eva Leigh’s when I felt the book fell off during the third act conflict - like My Fake Rake and Temptations of a Wallflower).
The premise is a new-to-me favorite: an older, widowed woman looking for fun and a hero looking for something more. The heroine in this book was Lady Beatrice Farris, who we met in book two of the series. After being widowed a few years ago and being officially out of half-mourning, she is looking forward to enjoying life again, getting as much joy as she can, and re-learning who she is. She’s an absolute delight!
Major Duncan McCameron is one of my favorite types of heroes: a Scottish war vet who’s stern and brooding. He’s a stickler for time schedules and following the rules, and the happy, carefree widow irks him because she gets a rise out of him.
They have a road trip romance after their mutual friend requests Duncan escort her to the country… unknowingly, to an orgy she wants to partake in.
The book was just so fun. I loved the characters together and separately, and as someone who doesn’t love road trip romances, I really found myself enjoying the hijinx and issues they ran into. They were steamy and sweet together, and I felt there was definitely emotional payoff on both sides as they revealed their past and why they feel they cannot be together - Duncan, following the example of McCamerson men before him, wants to marry and settle down but doesn’t feel he’s anyone’s first choice. Beatrice, after being duty-bound as a wife for so many years, refuses to marry.
The third act conflict and resolution fit perfectly within the story, and I really liked the subplot with Duncan’s friends - the other two members of the Union of the Rakes, Curtis and Rowe....more
He liked her, funny clothes and odd hair and the entire in-betweenness of her. She wasn’t an ordinary woman, but he wasn’t an ordinary man either.
He liked her, funny clothes and odd hair and the entire in-betweenness of her. She wasn’t an ordinary woman, but he wasn’t an ordinary man either. They fit together, and it felt right.
Look past the cover (I poked fun on my IG but - her hair and expression, his photoshopped shirt, his shoulder veins?) and this book is… amazing.
When I finish a book I just get a FEELING for what the star rating is. Generally, my ratings go like: 1 - disliked 2 - it was okay 3 - good not great 4 - great, could have loved it 5 - loved it, perfect book OR imperfect but love the way it made me feel
And to me, this book is a 5.
I picked up this book because I wanted to explore more books following the “girl in pants” trope. Charity has been living as Robert Selby for six years for a variety of reasons that are revealed slowly throughout the novel - but a main part of the ruse is because she wants to find an advantageous match for Louisa Selby.
Charity isn’t just dressing in “men’s clothes” to portray Robert - its become part of her identity and who she is.
Today was the first time she had dressed like this—she was going to stop thinking of these clothes as men’s clothes, because in fact they were hers—because she wanted to wear them, not as part of a necessary disguise.
I thought the way Cat Sebastian wrote this romance was so endearing and sweet. Something I liked was that Alistair doesn’t get panicked over his closeness or attraction to Robert (who he decides to call Robin). I’m new to the girl in pants trope/concept and listened to the ShelfLove podcast on it and they reviewed what happened in some old school romances with the trope - a reinforcement of gender stereotypes and/or gay panic when a man becomes attracted to a person presenting as a man.
I liked that Alistair seemed so aloof and cold to everyone, even his brother, and separated himself from his half-sisters… but Robin is the one to bring out the caring side of him and show him that it’s okay to love and reach out to others.
When Alistair finds out (view spoiler)[that Robert is Charity… it’s sort of a cumulation of events. He finds out Robert lied to him about his father being Louisa’s godfather, and he is furious at being used. When Charity comes clean that she’s been lying - he isn’t disgusted. He’s stuck on the fact that she lied and used him for a favor, which we know is something he feels everyone wants from him. So I totally understood that. (hide spoiler)]
I saw another reviewer say that some side characters (like Keating and Alistair’s half sister Amelia) were underutilized, which I agree with. But this didn’t detract from the book for me.
The same reviewer said that she wished Charity had more internal conflicts rather than everything being very situational… it could’ve explored more on her gender fluidity/identity. And I agree, but again - I don’t think this detracted from the story. I don’t know how much gender was being explored in the 1800s, but perhaps the concepts of gender fluidity/being non-binary was not something she would have realized was a possibility? I truly don’t know, I’m just speculating. And so to Charity, the best thing was a melding of what she knew and what she wanted - she wanted the freedom to live and dress how she wanted to, but she wanted to love Alistair openly, which meant she had to live as a woman. To me, this story was the best option for her. (And I’m using she/her pronouns as that’s what Cat Sebastian used in the book, as she said in her author’s note that’s more true to the time period - and will be familiar to readers.) ...more
"I think you are a gifted detective but have little understanding of what life is like for the female population. You aren't the first man to suffe
"I think you are a gifted detective but have little understanding of what life is like for the female population. You aren't the first man to suffer from this failing and you won't be the last. I simply ask that you consider my words the next time you think to dismiss some act by a lady as improper. Consider how much of what we've designated as proper and improper is less about manners and more about keeping ladies in their place. Where they won't get in the way of the men."
This book had so many aspects within it that made me think I would enjoy it. Kate is a widow and owner of a newspaper; she's outspoken and confident; she takes lovers; she has a strong female friendship with another writer. But a lot of about this book just didn't click for me.
SUMMARY
Kate and her new friend Caro decide to write a column for the newspaper Kate owns called A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem because of the lack of information on a new serial killer. In the first article they interview a barmaid who provides a clue the police didn't catch, and after publishing it Andrew Evesham (the detective on the serial killer case) is removed and replaced.
After Kate retreats to a country house party, she stumbles on a dead body... and Evesham is called to help investigate.
Sparks fly as the two pair to solve the mystery.
THOUGHTS
Like I said, there were certain things about this book that just didn't work for me. For one, I didn't buy the romance at all. I think it could have been interesting had they been hooking up throughout the book or before the book... a sort of antagonistic relationship where he's the "crime solver" and she's the "crime reporter" and the two are constantly at odds. But how it was, it was this weird sort of instant attraction but I didn't buy into the chemistry at all. And the leap to love was just too far for me.
I don't feel that I knew either character. We learn about Kate's past mainly through other people, like her friend Val recounting the marriage her parents arranged with a controlling man twenty years her senior. She never talks about it or even really thinks about it, or her past - except for I think one passage where she notes that even as the daughter of a marquess she was never raised wealthy. Andrew, on the other hand, we know is the grandson of a baronet (though he cut off Andrew's father), and his father is a vicar. But his past? His personality? Lost to me.
Finally, the mystery. I don't love romance mysteries, so they have to be well done or entertaining. This one missed the mark for me. I wasn't invested or interested in it, and the "reveal" was done in a spewing monologue immediately before everything is righted. And then the story wraps up - truly - two pages later.
—
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I know the ARC is an uncorrected proof but I hope they change the formatting of speech because it was distracting. Ex:
"This is one character talking," character said. "They are still talking." "Ok the same character from above is still talking. They should have left the end quotation mark off after 'talking' above to imply the next line was the same character."...more
“You can’t deny there’s an attraction between us, so we’ll have that at least. I can assure you that within my bed you will find pleasure.” “Not arr
“You can’t deny there’s an attraction between us, so we’ll have that at least. I can assure you that within my bed you will find pleasure.” “Not arrogant, are you.” “I’ve traveled the world. I’ve learned a good many things. You’ll benefit from the knowledge.” “And outside of the bed?” “We’ll be polite to each other. Respectful. The day will be yours to do with as you please. The night will belong to me.”
Finally finished the Hellions of Havisham series! I do wish I had read Edward and Locke's book before reading the Marquess of Marsdens, but this was a good ending for this generation of hellions.
SUMMARY
Killian, Viscount Locksley, lives at Havisham Hall with his father, the mad Marquess of Marsden. He's the last of the hellions to remain unmarried, and though he knows he'll eventually marry and secure an heir, he has no desire to fall in love - he has seen how the death of a beloved spouse can cause someone to crumble.
One day he comes upon his father, who announces... he is remarrying! Mrs. Portia Gladstone. They've been corresponding over letters and he's marrying her today - they have a contract and everything.
Locke steps in, trying to protect his father and because he can't deny that he's incredibly attracted to the tart tongued woman who shows up on his fathers doorstep. He finds one way around the contract: he will marry her instead. But he tells her they will live apart in the day, and come together at night - for their mutual pleasure only.
THOUGHTS
This book was very sexy, and featured a lot of baths. I don't think they took a lot of baths together but they each seemed to bath nearly every day. I couldn't help but think... what year is this? Can they install plumbing yet?
I enjoyed both characters and the build up of their relationship. Locke's fear of love and wanting to keep Portia at bay was a natural response to being raised by a man who spoke of his dead wife as though she was around... who locked all doors to keep them as they were when she died. But I liked that Portia got through those walls unintentionally, by just being herself. She is kind and generous, but stands up for herself and her family; she wants to make Havisham a home. Reading about her making over the music room and then entertaining Marsden there nightly with her piano playing (and that then spurring him to want to take meals out of his room) was a nice characterization of both her and the marquess.
Marsden was such a source of comic relief, as he and Portia joked around - often times on inappropriate things. On Marsden and Linnie cavorting all over the house... and him walking in on Locke and Portia! It makes his story (and his novella) all the more tragic.
I don't love plots with (view spoiler)[pregnancy, especially pregnancies where the woman is trying to fist the baby on another man without telling him. I understand why Portia did it, and I understand why it was needed... it's just not my preference for a trope. Locke whispering, "I wish it was mine" after he found out was heartbreaking. I think this book could have been better if it was like When the Earl Met His Match - where the heroine goes to the earl at like five months pregnant and he accepts her immediately. Then again, she was honest. ... I'm wondering if in any of these stories there's a male hero who raises another man's son as his heir. That was the backstory in To Pleasure a Prince, but we didn't get to see Marcus' father actually find out and raise him - just after he was grown. (hide spoiler)]...more
“Since this is my first proposal, I want you to do it right. Even if it is a sham.” She primly folded her hands in her lap and waited. His expressio
“Since this is my first proposal, I want you to do it right. Even if it is a sham.” She primly folded her hands in her lap and waited. His expression softened. “Well, let no one ever say I can’t fake propose with conviction.” Amesbury eased off the sofa, then took a knee at her feet and held out his hand, palm up.
This was a very impressive debut novel from Bethany Bennett! The characters and relationships were fully formed and interesting, and enough side characters were introduced that they both added color to the story (the godmother and Darling, the lady’s maid) and made me excited for future books (Cal and the Puppy, and do you THINK the pirate at the end will get a book with Cal’s sister??).
SUMMARY
Ethan, Lord Amesbury, was a sheep farmer in Scotland before he unexpectedly inherited the title of viscount eight years earlier. In those eight years he has grown into the role at his estate, looking for opportunities for his tenants, but he is still unaccepted by the ton who view him as “MacBrute”.
It just so happens that years ago, he caused the utter humiliation of Lady Charlotte Wentworth. She retreated from London and hasn’t been seen since… until now.
They accidentally cross paths after a carriage accident and bad weather keeps them in the same inn, and strike up a friendship of sorts. As the book description states - she turns to Ethan for help when a suitor won’t take no for an answer, and enlists him as a fake fiancé.
THOUGHTS
The characters in this book felt realized and well formed. Ethan, as a hero, was a delight because he reveals early on that he has grown up and overcome the mistakes he made in the past. He recounts how he drank heavily when he first met Lottie, and it was on a drunken night trying to impress new friends that he cruelly coined her the “Paper Doll Princess.” He has seen the effects that carelessness and drunkenness have on him and the people in his life, and has made efforts to change and grow from that. Having such an emotionally stable hero feels quite unusual!
Ethan seemed to have a far better grasp of his emotions and expectations than Lottie did. She actually took on a role more common with male heroes in historical romances: declaring she would not, could not marry for love; wanting a Society marriage; being a strict and managing sort; and putting her wants - to have independence, her dowry, and a property - all to herself. While I think her protests towards Ethan ran a little too long (as she repeatedly forced him to wait as she mulled over their fake and then maybe real engagement and didn’t act/apologize), Bethany Bennett saved her from being “unlikable” by making her so playful - giving us a few delightful scenes like the one in the library with the book and the one at the masquerade with her, ahem, panniers.
As I stated in my first thoughts, the side characters were also a delight. I’m realizing that I love the “kooky grandma” character in historical romances. (There was a similar type of character in A Most Sinful Proposal and The Beast of Beswick, among many.) In this book that role went to Agatha, Lottie’s godmother and her mother’s best friend, who was happy to let her flounce the rules of propriety for a chance at happiness. Mrs. Darling, Lottie’s lady’s maid who she hired in dire circumstances, was a nice addition as it showed Lottie’s progressive thinking in terms of rehabilitation through employment and Darling got to be a, er, sex ed teacher. Cal, Ethan’s friend, initially came off as a charmer but his depths could be seen throughout the book in how he was a true friend to Ethan. Even more minor characters like Connor (essentially a butler or steward for Ethan’s ancestral home) and Montague (the villain) felt necessary rather than superfluous.
I loved the development of the relationship, because it all felt very natural. I’m a sucker for fake relationship plots so the trope was welcome here, especially as they were able to establish a friendship before becoming faux fiancés. Bethany Bennett has a great way with natural dialogue and interactions between characters so the conversations and relationship progression was very flowing.
I like that Bethany Bennett didn’t include a prologue setting up the disaster, and instead jumped in years later with them having a chance meeting at an inn after her carriage accident. I think had we gotten a prologue of the past, it would have felt incomplete and still would have been rehashed later. As it was written, we got memories from the characters (Ethan’s were especially good, as his were guilt ridden) and etchings from scandal sheets that indicated more of Society’s take on the gossip.
Another thing I liked as a side note was that she included the unfavorable portrayals of the scandal sheets and Lottie asking Darling what the servants were saying about the gossip. It’s a touch a lot of books don’t go into.
I did feel that towards the end of the book (right around 75%) the book felt quite long. It was the third act drama, which is usually a make or break for me in terms of if a book will be a 4 or a 5. (view spoiler)[For me, the last minute kidnapping of Lottie by Montague didn’t quite work - and I’m not sure why. Maybe because it took two or three days for Ethan to find her? Although she was quite capable of rendering him incapacitated on her own, which was LOVELY don’t get me wrong… I just felt like it messed with the pacing of the book and really threw me off. (hide spoiler)]
Another thing I noted was that there were a lot of “cutaway moments”. I think this is a stylistic choice by the author and I don’t recall seeing it, or maybe not as often as I did here. It would be like this: a set up to do something, like a picnic or a ball… then in the next scene, it would be after the picnic or the ball, with a few afterthoughts recounting it. I suppose it’s a good way to skip wasting pages on a scene that wouldn’t have both the hero/heroine so you can summarize it. I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it, I just noticed it because I thought it was unusual.
This book was steamy, which is something I always want to see in a historical romance. (We’re not out here reading sweet CLEAN books, okay? We’re in quarantine.) It had a surprisingly hot *almost* kiss scene (that nuzzle) and for being a virgin heroine, I liked that she wasn’t shy - she quite literally picked up a book and tried things out, and wasn’t a blushing miss where she was afraid to ask for what she wanted.
OVERALL
This is a great debut. But I’m hesitant to say that because I don’t want to say it’s great *for being a debut* - I mean it’s a great book, period. I’m really excited to read more from Bethany!