Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by lifeisbetterwithbooks_
At the Duke's Wedding by Caroline Linden
4.0
Each story in this anthology is written by a different author and is about a different couple who is attending the Duke's wedding at Kingstag Castle. I'm sure some of their storylines will intersect, and I am stoked to read each one!! I will review each one and give my castings.
That Rogue Jack by Maya Rodale
This is my first novel/novella by Maya Rodale--though I have many of her works downloaded on my tablet--and I have to say it will not be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed this short as Rodale seemed to pack so much into it. Jack is a total charmer, complete with a Smile that inspired a brand of smelling salts(!!), while Henrietta is the no-nonsense, staid companion to the older Lady Sohpronia. All her life, Henrietta has had to be proper and responsible in order to keep her position as companion to Sophronia, so she has watched from the sidelines as Jack charmed his way through life and countless adventures. However, when the Duke entrusts Jack with safekeeping the family ring, the Duke's mother enlists Henrietta to make sure whimsical Jack actually has them in time for the wedding. Thus, Henrietta is swept into a whirlwind of secret rendezvous and nighttime adventures with Jack as they search for the ring (that Jack lost/misplaced), while Jack learns to see Henrietta (whom he's known all his life) in a new and lovely light. A wonderful romance of two unlikely people getting to know each other and falling in love because of the balance they bring the other! 4.5 stars
My Jack, gorgeous blue eyes and his infamous Look ;)
P.S. I Love You by Miranda Neville
Ugh, this novella. It disappointed me so much!! For me, the pacing was too slow and I think the courtship between Frank and Rosanne went on for much too long. The beginning chapter was interesting at first, then seemed to drag and morphed into a dragging story as well. I think part of the problem was the MCs didn't do anything (besides mope for someone they couldn't have). Unlike the first novella where the MCs had a goal they were trying to accomplish, Rosanne and Christian (and Frank) weren't really worried or occupied with anything besides falling in love with each other. Add in the fact that I wanted Rosanne to hurry up and realize what an amazing and broken hero Christian was (my favorite kind really), and I was definitely ready for the next installment. Christian was really the saving grace in this novella for me; he was so caring and sarcastic and beautiful inside and out. I LOVED him, so when Rosanne finally realized he was her REAL messenger of love I just about died. Overall, it was an boring start, an okay but long middle with a much better ending. 3.5 stars
My lovely Captain Christian Lord Bruton, with his hardly visible scar..
When I Met My Duchess by Caroline Linden
I found this story to be much more enjoyable than the last, but definitely not up to par to the first one. I keep comparing each story to the first (and subsequently find them lacking) which I find very telling. I did enjoy this one though. Gareth, Duke of Wessex, thinks he has found the perfect bride. Miss Helen Gray is polite, reserved, and perfectly demure--the perfect candidate to become Duchess to his grand estate. Except when she and her family arrive at Kingstag Castle for the wedding, lightning strikes (literally) and he has eyes only for her scandalous and outspoken sister, the widowed Cleo Barrows. I liked their chemistry and Gareth's complete fascination with her and Cleo's independence and openness. However, again my main problem with this story was the character's lack of action! Maybe it's unfair to hold novellas to the same standard as I do to full-length historicals, but I've read other novellas (by the amazing Tessa Dare) that include adventure, mystery, and of course a lovely HEA. Even the first story of this anthology included a mission for the characters to complete (and ultimately bring them together), which is what I love to read. Anyway, enough of that. Overall, this story was cute in its forbidden and star-crossed love, and I really did enjoy the neat way it all worked out in the end. 4 stars
My Gareth, Duke of Wessex, looking on as Cleo steps down from the carriage, lightning strikes, and his world tilts on its axis....
How Angela Got Her Rogue Back by Katharine Ashe
What a fabulous ending to this anthology! Ashe completely succeeded in pulling me back into this world and the intertwining characters, leaving me breathless for more. This was my first time-traveling historical romance (no I haven't read Outlander, don't kill me!!!), so I really didn't expect much going in. But I have to say, I kinda loved it. I haven't been into contemporary romances lately, but this story nicely blended the contemporary genre into the historical world that I love so much and I found myself really enjoying it. Angela was a very relatable, strong, and tenacious heroine (which I love), and Trent was just lovely--he was kind, caring, artistic **swoon**, yet vulnerable and unsure. I LOVED their courtship/romance, and their ending had me on the verge of heartbreak and tears at the unfairness of it all. Overall, this is a tie for my favorite with the first story That Rogue Jack because this story wasn't just about the romance--the MCs (mainly Angela) were looking/working towards SOMETHING and there was a villain to vanquish. Love! 4.5 stars
My lovely Trenton "Crash" Ascot, Viscount Everett, comtemplating what the hell he's gotten himself into with the crazy beautiful American :)
Overall rating for the anthology, 4 stars!!! Definitely worth the read!
That Rogue Jack by Maya Rodale
This is my first novel/novella by Maya Rodale--though I have many of her works downloaded on my tablet--and I have to say it will not be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed this short as Rodale seemed to pack so much into it. Jack is a total charmer, complete with a Smile that inspired a brand of smelling salts(!!), while Henrietta is the no-nonsense, staid companion to the older Lady Sohpronia. All her life, Henrietta has had to be proper and responsible in order to keep her position as companion to Sophronia, so she has watched from the sidelines as Jack charmed his way through life and countless adventures. However, when the Duke entrusts Jack with safekeeping the family ring, the Duke's mother enlists Henrietta to make sure whimsical Jack actually has them in time for the wedding. Thus, Henrietta is swept into a whirlwind of secret rendezvous and nighttime adventures with Jack as they search for the ring (that Jack lost/misplaced), while Jack learns to see Henrietta (whom he's known all his life) in a new and lovely light. A wonderful romance of two unlikely people getting to know each other and falling in love because of the balance they bring the other! 4.5 stars
My Jack, gorgeous blue eyes and his infamous Look ;)
P.S. I Love You by Miranda Neville
Ugh, this novella. It disappointed me so much!! For me, the pacing was too slow and I think the courtship between Frank and Rosanne went on for much too long. The beginning chapter was interesting at first, then seemed to drag and morphed into a dragging story as well. I think part of the problem was the MCs didn't do anything (besides mope for someone they couldn't have). Unlike the first novella where the MCs had a goal they were trying to accomplish, Rosanne and Christian (and Frank) weren't really worried or occupied with anything besides falling in love with each other. Add in the fact that I wanted Rosanne to hurry up and realize what an amazing and broken hero Christian was (my favorite kind really), and I was definitely ready for the next installment. Christian was really the saving grace in this novella for me; he was so caring and sarcastic and beautiful inside and out. I LOVED him, so when Rosanne finally realized he was her REAL messenger of love I just about died. Overall, it was an boring start, an okay but long middle with a much better ending. 3.5 stars
My lovely Captain Christian Lord Bruton, with his hardly visible scar..
When I Met My Duchess by Caroline Linden
I found this story to be much more enjoyable than the last, but definitely not up to par to the first one. I keep comparing each story to the first (and subsequently find them lacking) which I find very telling. I did enjoy this one though. Gareth, Duke of Wessex, thinks he has found the perfect bride. Miss Helen Gray is polite, reserved, and perfectly demure--the perfect candidate to become Duchess to his grand estate. Except when she and her family arrive at Kingstag Castle for the wedding, lightning strikes (literally) and he has eyes only for her scandalous and outspoken sister, the widowed Cleo Barrows. I liked their chemistry and Gareth's complete fascination with her and Cleo's independence and openness. However, again my main problem with this story was the character's lack of action! Maybe it's unfair to hold novellas to the same standard as I do to full-length historicals, but I've read other novellas (by the amazing Tessa Dare) that include adventure, mystery, and of course a lovely HEA. Even the first story of this anthology included a mission for the characters to complete (and ultimately bring them together), which is what I love to read. Anyway, enough of that. Overall, this story was cute in its forbidden and star-crossed love, and I really did enjoy the neat way it all worked out in the end. 4 stars
My Gareth, Duke of Wessex, looking on as Cleo steps down from the carriage, lightning strikes, and his world tilts on its axis....
How Angela Got Her Rogue Back by Katharine Ashe
What a fabulous ending to this anthology! Ashe completely succeeded in pulling me back into this world and the intertwining characters, leaving me breathless for more. This was my first time-traveling historical romance (no I haven't read Outlander, don't kill me!!!), so I really didn't expect much going in. But I have to say, I kinda loved it. I haven't been into contemporary romances lately, but this story nicely blended the contemporary genre into the historical world that I love so much and I found myself really enjoying it. Angela was a very relatable, strong, and tenacious heroine (which I love), and Trent was just lovely--he was kind, caring, artistic **swoon**, yet vulnerable and unsure. I LOVED their courtship/romance, and their ending had me on the verge of heartbreak and tears at the unfairness of it all. Overall, this is a tie for my favorite with the first story That Rogue Jack because this story wasn't just about the romance--the MCs (mainly Angela) were looking/working towards SOMETHING and there was a villain to vanquish. Love! 4.5 stars
My lovely Trenton "Crash" Ascot, Viscount Everett, comtemplating what the hell he's gotten himself into with the crazy beautiful American :)
Overall rating for the anthology, 4 stars!!! Definitely worth the read!