Her Grace's Daring Proposal - Joanna Johnson (HH #1734 - July 2023)

The wife everybody wants
Will choose the husband nobody expects!
 
Widowed duchess Isabelle Sherborne's wealth has made her the talk of the ton -- but also the target of fortune hunters! So, when they threaten to hold Isabelle to ransom by destroying her young sister's reputation, Isabelle asks mercenary Joseph Carter for help. To save everything that Isabelle holds dear, she must convince him to marry her. Yet whilst their convenient vows will protect her, they could put her heart in danger…
 
Good book with an interesting premise - duchess marries hardened mercenary. Both characters had heartbreaking pasts that influenced the direction of their lives. Widowed Isabelle has inherited a great deal of wealth from her late husband, making her the target of fortune hunters. When a particularly desperate one threatens to destroy her younger sister's reputation if Isabelle doesn't cooperate, she hires a mercenary to rescue her sister.
 
I liked Isabelle. She has a loving heart and is intelligent, courageous, and stubborn. The deaths of her parents when she was eighteen made her the guardian of her younger sister. But she was in a desperate situation without a home and the funds to support them. A convenient marriage to one of her father's best friends gave them the home they needed until his death. Isabelle has no desire to marry again but knows she might have to. I liked her determination to protect her sister and her courage to gain the desired help.
 
Joseph's past was also heartbreaking. Abandoned at a workhouse as an infant, he grew up feeling unloved and unwanted. Other boys bullied him, and his lone attempt to run away resulted in a life-long hatred of the upper classes. He has the reputation of being ruthless, cold, and emotionless.
 
The initial meeting between Isabelle and Joseph doesn't go well. Sensing her Society ties, Joseph is purposely as obnoxious and rude as possible. Isabelle immediately regrets her plan and leaves. Though Joseph doesn't want to admit it, something about her sticks with him, and he follows her to ensure she is safe. After rescuing her from an attack, they reconsider their options.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Seeing Joseph steamrollered by Isabelle's refusal to go along with his edicts was amusing. I enjoyed watching her get under his skin. Though they are antagonistic initially, under that antagonism are sparks of attraction neither wants to admit. Joseph is convinced that he is unlovable and unworthy of any kindness. Meanwhile, Isabelle sees the good in him that he refuses to acknowledge. When it becomes evident that Isabelle needs to marry to protect herself and her sister, she asks Joseph to marry her. He's stunned at the trust she shows him, and an unexpected encounter with a fellow mercenary shows him the way forward.
 
I loved watching them grow closer after their marriage. Isabelle brings out the good in Joseph, though he still believes he is unworthy of her. Trouble at an event brings Joseph's fears and insecurities to the surface, and he pulls away from the deepening relationship. I loved that Isabelle didn't just accept his withdrawal. Her method of solving the problem was unexpected, and the result was life-changing for him. The ending was sweet and emotional. I would have liked an epilogue to follow up on what he learned. 

 

The Gentleman's Gambit - Evie Dunsmore (Penguin - Dec 2023)

Series: League of Extraordinary Women (Book 4)
 
Bookish suffragist Catriona Campbell is busy: An ailing estate, academic writer's block, a tense time for England's women's rights campaign -- the last thing she needs is to be stuck playing host to her father's distractingly attractive young colleague.
 
Deeply introverted Catriona lives for her work at Oxford and her fight for women's suffrage. She dreams of romance, too, but since all her attempts at love have ended badly, she now keeps her desires firmly locked inside her head -- until she climbs out of a Scottish loch after a good swim and finds herself rather exposed to her new colleague.
 
Elias Khoury has wheedled his way into Professor Campbell's circle under false pretenses: he did not come to Oxford to classify ancient artefacts, he is determined to take them back to his homeland in the Middle East. Winning Catriona's favor could be the key to his success. Unfortunately, seducing the coolly intense lady scholar quickly becomes a mission in itself and his well-laid plans are in danger of derailing...
 
Forced into close proximity in Oxford's hallowed halls, two very different people have to face the fact that they might just be a perfect match. Soon, a risky new game begins that asks Catriona one more time to put her heart and wildest dreams at stake.
 
Good conclusion to the series. In this story, we have Catriona, the quiet one of the four women. She is an introvert who can only handle being around people for so long before she needs some alone time. This can be difficult when you serve as a hostess for your father, are involved in the women's rights movement, and have activities you are committed to at Oxford. As the book opens, Catriona enjoys the solitude of the family estate in Scotland despite the imminent arrival of one of her father's colleagues, which adds to her stress. She's horrified when she emerges from a swim in the loch and finds herself exposed to that same colleague.
 
Elias came to Scotland on a mission. He wormed his way into Professor Campbell's life to get access to some ancient artifacts from his homeland. He is determined to return them to their rightful place by any means necessary. Elias doesn't need Catriona's distraction, but he can't get her off his mind. Matters become complicated when they are forced to work together at Oxford.
 
Catriona is an interesting character. While she would like a chance at love, her romantic history has her convinced it isn't in the cards for her. She must also balance her idea of love with the realities of relationships in her time, which don't seem compatible. She struggles with balance in her life with competing activities of her writing, her suffragette work, her friends, and her studies. I could feel her stress when her life became too "peopley."
 
I liked Elias. He's a good man who loves his family and his homeland but is also frustrated by the limits placed on him. I liked his determination to resolve the issue of the stolen artifacts. Elias has also been burned in a romantic relationship.
 
I enjoyed the development of Catriona and Elias's relationship. The sparks of attraction are present from the moment they meet, but both are determined to resist them. At first, they try to avoid each other whenever possible, but Fate continues to throw them together. I liked watching them get to know each other. I loved how in tune Elias was with Catriona and how he understood when she needed space and when she needed him. I liked seeing Catriona's connection with Elias grow and deepen. It was sweet to see her attempt to cook for him. When she discovered his real reason for being in London, not only did she understand, she wanted to help. There is trouble when her desire to help runs up against his pride, especially when Elias's heart is also involved. Catriona must face her fears before she can open her heart, but the results are terrific when she does.
 
I enjoyed the continuation of the suffragette storyline from the other books in the series. The behind-the-scenes look at the activities and work that went into changing the laws was interesting. A few times, it felt a bit heavy-handed and slowed the story's pace. I loved the epilogue and seeing our intrepid ladies admiring their handiwork years in the future. I liked that it included all of the couples, but I would have liked more about Catriona and Elias's lives. I was slightly disappointed that there was no follow-through about the woman they encouraged to sue her husband. I would have liked to see how that turned out. 

 

River Justice - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Aug 2024)

Series: Powder River (Book 3)
 
When you look for the truth, there's no telling what you'll find…
 
Brand Stafford has long felt he didn't quite fit in with his siblings. Now he has the DNA evidence to prove his real father is the Staffords' ranching rival, Holden McKenna. That secret does more than complicate his family -- it's also made him the prime suspect in a kidnapping. His unlikely ally in clearing his name is Birdie Malone, newly arrived in Powder Crossing in search of answers of her own.
 
Impetuous and stubborn, Birdie has a knack for pulling Brand out of his comfort zone. Suddenly this rule-following cowboy is determined to do what he knows is right, whether that's tracking down a kidnapper or finally giving away his heart. Even if he has to put everything on the line to do it…
 
Terrific book, as the saga of the Staffords and McKennas continues. Brand Stafford has always felt a little disconnected from his siblings and wondered why. When his sister Oakley does a DNA test, he does one and gets the shock of his life. His father is Holden McKenna, his family's nemesis. He's unsure how to deal with the information but drops a copy of the results in Holden's mailbox, which lands him in unexpected trouble. The following day, he catches a strange woman lurking around the ranch.
 
Birdie Malone came to Powder River looking for answers about her father's disappearance and death. She's convinced that Brand's mother, Charlotte, killed him to get rid of the second husband she regretted marrying. Birdie is determined to find proof of Charlotte's guilt.
 
Birdie and Brand's meeting was amusing and not what either of them expected. Seeing the usually quiet, attention-avoiding Brand lose his cool around Birdie was fun. There are sparks of attraction between them, but they try to ignore them. Birdie talks him into helping her investigate, but before they can get started, Brand is accused of kidnapping Holden's teenage ward, Holly Jo.
 
Meanwhile, we witness Holly Jo's kidnapping and the terror she faces as she's held for ransom. Holden is beside himself with worry, and others are determined to help find the girl. We learn that the kidnapper has a grudge against Holden and is bent on revenge. Holden must figure out who it is before it's too late.
 
A lot is going on in this book. The search for Holly Jo and trying to identify the kidnapper is the most critical. The sheriff is frustrated with Holden's uncooperative attitude and the shortage of leads. That frustration increases when Birdie and Brandon get involved, putting themselves in danger. Birdie is one determined woman, and her impulsive actions do not endear her to the sheriff. There are plenty of tense moments and twists as the search continues. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was terrifying and had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved.
 
Throughout the story, Birdie searches for answers about her father's death. I liked her determination and her faith in her father. The progress of her investigation was intriguing, and the conclusion was much more convoluted than I expected.
 
I ached for Brand as he dealt with the results of his DNA test. He's unsure if he's happy to know the truth or wishes he'd never done it. Should he be angry at his parents, who were married to other people at the time? I also hurt for Holden, who was blindsided and shocked by the news. The backstory between Holden and Charlotte is heartbreaking, as is what started the feud and their lives since then. I'm interested to see what else plays out between them.
 
The relationship between Brand and Birdie happens fast. The sparks are there from the moment they meet. I enjoyed seeing Birdie's influence on Brand as he took chances and allowed himself to risk his heart. I laughed at Brand's disbelief that he goes along with her schemes. I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
 
The book finishes with a scene between Bailey McKenna and the sheriff. Something has been happening with her, but Stuart can't get her to confide in him. I suspect that they will be the focus of the next book. 

Married by Mistake - Shannon Stacey (HSE #3024 - Dec 2023)

Series: Sutton's Place (Book 6)
 
A husband for the holidays!
 
When sworn enemies Chelsea Grey and John Fletcher travel to Las Vegas for a friend's wedding, the last thing they anticipate is waking up married themselves. Unfortunately, disentangling their wedding knot proves more complicated than they'd hoped. With Christmas fast approaching, the feisty barista and her coffee-hating "hubby" are still living under one roof -- and wondering why their temporary marriage is suddenly feeling suspiciously like the real thing…
 
Fun enemies-to-lovers story. Chelsea owns a coffee shop, and John is the coffee-hating digital artist who has the shop next door. They rubbed each other the wrong way from the moment they met. But their best friends, Molly and Callan, are getting married in Las Vegas and want them there. They put their feud on hold for their friends' sake. However, their temporary truce, combined with too much tequila equals waking up married to each other!
 
I was caught up in this story from the opening pages. Chelsea wakes up hungover and naked and horrified to discover that not only is John in the bed next to her, but they are both wearing wedding rings. There is no chance of what happened in Vegas staying in Vegas because Chelsea also posted the information on her social media pages. Neither understands how it happened because they detest each other. The only thing to do is file for annulment right away.
 
Matters become complicated when they return home. John's house was damaged by a fire, leaving him with few options for a place to stay during repairs. Chelsea steps up and offers her guest room despite her reservations. Though they initially plan to avoid each other as much as possible, Fate has other plans. Instead, they find themselves drawn to each other. I loved watching them get to know each other. There are sweet scenes, from watching their favorite show together to shopping for a Christmas tree. The sparks of attraction that got them into their marriage become more challenging to resist. It's easy to see them falling in love, but there are obstacles. The biggest one is that John plans to move away after a year, while Chelsea has put down roots and has no plans ever to leave.
 
When their annulment plans run into a snag, they must decide whether to stick to the original plan or make their marriage real. I wanted to shake both when they avoided confessing their feelings and continued with what they thought the other wanted. I loved their big moment at the end,  as John finally took a chance. The scene at the Sutton's Christmas party was sweet, emotional, and romantic. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for the book. 

 
 

Unexpected Family for the Rebel Tycoon - Rachael Stewart (HR #4911 - Aug 2024)

From just neighbors…to a forever family?
 
Everyone's heard of Matteo De Luca: tycoon, soccer player and international thrill seeker. Until an injury sees him permanently benched -- and bored! So bored that when his neighbor's kid drives off another nanny, Matteo volunteers to step in, adding "manny" to his CV. After unexpectedly becoming her nephew's guardian, it's clear Porsha's defenses are high. But as Matteo gets to know the woman beneath, a startlingly intense connection emerges… Could this be his biggest adventure yet?
 
Emotional story of an unwillingly retired football (soccer) player, a frazzled executive, and the seven-year-old boy who brings them together.
 
The story opens with Matteo attempting to relax in his backyard. The loss of his soccer career has left him looking for something to fill the hole in his life. He is bored until a frilly item of lingerie sails over the fence and lands on his head. When he heads next door to return said item, he is nearly bowled over by a woman in a hurry to leave, followed by one begging her to stay.
 
Porsha became guardian to her nephew, Fin, two years ago when her sister was killed in a tragic accident. She does her best to give him a good life while keeping her job, but Fin is hard on his nannies. This was the fifteenth nanny in as many months.
 
I loved this first meeting between Matteo and Porsha. The flying bra, the water balloon, and Fin's starstruck recognition of Matteo made me laugh out loud. Fin and Matteo's immediate connection gave him a chance to relieve his boredom. I loved his shock when he heard himself offer to watch Fin while Porsha works, becoming, in essence, a "manny." The scenes with Fin and Matteo were terrific as they bonded over their love of football.
 
Matteo had a difficult childhood and refused to open up to the potential hurt of loving someone. He is attracted to Porsha but tries to resist. Porsha's childhood was spent with a family that flew by the seat of their pants, taking risks and living day by day. As a result, she thinks everything through, often focusing on the negatives, resulting in very little fun in her life. Matteo is determined to help her learn to let go. He invites her and Fin to his island home near Capri. I loved watching Porsha learn to have fun, with Matteo and Fin encouraging her. There were some intensely emotional scenes as Porsha worked through the fears that have kept her prisoner, and I loved seeing the changes in her.
 
Spending that much time together gave the sparks between them a chance to grow. I ached for Porsha, who knew she was falling for Matteo but also that he didn't believe in lasting love. It is also evident that Matteo is falling for her, but he refuses to accept it. Everyone around them can see how they belong together. But both have fears and insecurities to overcome, and the path to their HEA hits a few bumps. The ending was terrific, and I loved the epilogue. 

 

Murderous Intent - Rachel Lee (HI #2211 - May 2024)

Series:  ConardCounty (Book 74)
 
As a storm rages,
can he unmask the murderer in their midst?
 
When a killer strikes twice in the same day, former soldier turned stockade owner Josh Healey steps in to protect the locals who've taken refuge across the creek. But it's writer Krystal Metcalfe who penetrates his hardened exterior. Then, just as the investigation is truly getting underway, a savage rainstorm cuts them off from the outside world. Now Josh and Krystal must trust each other with their secrets to stop a chilling vendetta...and survive.
 
Good book that kept me interested from start to finish. It is fast-paced, as the story takes place over a few days. Krystal and her mother own a writer's retreat in the Cash Creek area of Conard County. Krystal loves the peace and quiet of the forest retreat and is disturbed when the long-absent property owner across the creek moves in and starts building a fort. Her initial encounters with him don't go well.
 
Josh is a veteran turned psychologist who builds a retreat for fellow veterans who have PTSD. He is very protective of his soldiers and worries about the attitudes of outsiders toward them. They pretty much keep to themselves.
 
As the story starts, a group of writers is at the retreat. Some are introverted and keep to themselves as they do their writing. Others are friendlier and like to socialize. Then there is one who is highly extroverted and constantly makes himself the center of attention. Krystal doesn't like him, but he brings business to the retreat. Mason is bloviating one day when Josh bursts into the lodge, fuming mad. Someone cruelly injured a dog and left it outside the stockade. He all but accuses one of them of being the culprit.
 
Tension increased as people on both sides of the creek worried about what might happen next. There is a worrisome visit with the dog's owner and an interview with the sheriff, who came to investigate the shooting. The injured dog, Reject, adopted Krystal and went home with her. The day went on with a storm building, and Reject showed up at the stockade. When Josh returns him to Krystal, he senses trouble. Things get freaky when Reject intermittently howls and stares out the window. Josh trusts that the dog senses something and decides to stick around.
 
Things go from bad to worse when Mason and another writer are found dead. Is the killer out there somewhere, waiting to kill again? Or is it one of them, huddled in the lodge, wondering what is happening? Josh's protective instincts are aroused, and he recruits some of his soldiers to help protect the writers. The suspense is intense as Josh and Krystal attempt to keep everyone safe and figure out who is behind the murders. In an unusual step, the author reveals the killer to the reader early. I wasn't surprised by the identity, but the accomplice was a surprise. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with a resolution that wasn't what I expected.
 
The relationship between Josh and Krystal happened quickly. It was a rough start, with Krystal being suspicious and Josh being uncommunicative. But under the antagonism were sparks of attraction that neither could ignore. When the trouble started, Josh couldn't fight his protectiveness. Krystal was smart enough to accept his help. Spending that much time together allowed them to get to know each other a little. It takes Krystal a while to understand Josh's prickliness about his vets, but I liked that she tried. I loved that they acknowledged their feelings but knew they needed to get to know each other better.
 
I liked seeing some Conard County regulars like Gage Dalton and Connie Parrish. 

 

Her Fake Boyfriend - Heatherly Bell (HSE #3055 - Aug 2024)

Series:  Charming, Texas (Book 7)
 
Her Prince Charming…
In a make-believe fairy tale?
 
Talented divorce attorney and town newcomer Michelle LaCroix needs roots in Charming to make partner, according to her old-fashioned boss. And that means a boyfriend! Problem is, she's got to produce her beau in the flesh. Enter the town's most eligible bachelor, former professional athlete Finn Sheridan, who's only too happy to play pretend with his best friend's ex -- for a price. To his surprise, the more he's thrown together with Michelle, the more he's intrigued by a woman who's far more than her ice-queen exterior. But with Finn's trust still shattered by a brutal divorce, the make-believe match is just a fun diversion…until it becomes all too real!
 
Good book. Michelle came to Charming to reconcile with an old boyfriend. When that didn't work out, and she lost her job in Austin, she decided to stay in Charming and join a local law firm. Michelle is ambitious and wants to make partner, but her old-fashioned boss thinks she needs to be in a committed relationship first. So she has been talking up the boyfriend that exists only in her mind but avoiding the necessity to produce a real one. That ends one evening when she encounters her boss, and he insists on meeting him. Desperate, she latches onto Finn and begs him to play the part.
 
Finn is happy to go along with the ruse. He's been attracted to Michelle since he met her, but she's his best friend's ex and, therefore, off limits. In addition, thanks to a recent contentious divorce, Michelle being a divorce lawyer gives him pause.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. They had to spend time together to sell the illusion of their relationship, and as they did, they discovered that there was something real growing between them. I enjoyed their scenes together, especially when Finn attempted to break Michelle of her workaholic habits. I liked their teasing and seeing the changes in Michelle as her relationship with Finn grew. Things look good for them until the truth emerges, and Michelle's job is at stake. I liked the ending and the twist that helped everything work out.