Title: The Knight’s Substitute Bride
(Brothers and Rivals #2)
Author: Melissa Oliver
Published: November 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

Could the wrong bride...

Be right for him after all?

For the sake of his family name, Lord Robert must merry to seal an alliance with an Irish clan. Only, the woman at the altar isn’t who he was promised! Instead, it’s her sister, Lady Mairenn! The sharp-tongued Irish beauty is as reluctant to wed as Robert, but as friction turns to fire between them, she’s further derailing Robert’s plans for this purely pragmatic arrangement...

My Review:

My wish was granted as I finally got the chance to read the story of Ruaidhri’s twin brother, Robert. I was super excited to be reading about Robert and his unexpected bride, Mairenn! These two are absolutely wonderful.

My first impression of Robert from the prior series was that he was cold, foreboding and unreadable yet I couldn’t seem to forget about him. He is my absolute swoon-worthy medieval knight. I had a glimpse of Robert’s situation from the first book. To seal an alliance between the Anglo-Norman and Iris clan, Robert has agreed to marry the daughter of the Darach clan however on the wedding day, he is furious when the bride is switched with the second daughter, Lady Mairenn. What he doesn’t expect is that the outspoken, free-spirited and disobedient woman is the woman he encountered when he lost his horse. I felt completely immersed during their wedding ceremony especially the surprise when they are standing at the altar with shocked expression. This dramatic encounter made a dramatic back sound effect inside my head, jreng jreng jreng ....

I think Mairenn is a match for Robert. Their sparring is always amusing to me especially the war of words they always have when they are in disagreement. At some point I dislike Robert when he detaches himself from Mairenn because of his uncle. Arrgghh, I know that villain will make his move in this second book. Yet Robert’s affection for Mairen is so tender and caring, his concern over Mairenn’s illness, I loved it so much.

I admire how Melissa Oliver and Ella Matthews combine their characters within this series. Oh my, when Darach clan is under attack and Rhuadhri, Robert’s twin brother comes to his aid, they fight at back to back like characters in a film. I was drooling as I screamed woohooo ....

Had I not to read Melissa’s note, I would have thought these two characters were fiction but they are not. These characters are apparently based on real historical figures. I can’t tell you more about the history, but Melissa’s evocative storytelling and writing is absolutely captivating. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to read the whole series of Brothers & Rivals! Thank you, Melissa Oliver, for the e-arc which I volunteered to review.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Melissa Oliver is from southwest London, UK, where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and three daughters, who share her passion for decrepit old castles, grand palaces and all things historical. She won the Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers from Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2020 for her first book, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums and art galleries. If you want to find out more, follow Melissa on Twitter https://twitter.com/melissaoauthor

 

Title: A Lady on the Edge of Ruin
Author: Lotte R. James
Published: November 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Age-Gap Romance

Blurb:

A forbidden romance sizzling with scandal and seduction

A passion that could destroy her reputation

But save her heart!

Since the traumatic events of her first Season, Lady Mary Spencer’s been wary of Society. Tired of feeling angry and bitter, at a seemingly innocuous garden party, she lets her guard down with Luca Guaro. The charming Itaian rogue also abhors the ton’s dictates and becomes a much-needed light in Mary’s life. A liaison with Luca would be scandalous, so why is she so tempted to head to the brink of ruin...?

My Review:

Oh I can’t recommend this book enough! I loved everything about it from the beginning to the end!

Alright, at first I was so reluctant to read it because I’m not a big fan of age gap romances where the heroine is older but, oh, Lotte R. James has totally changed my mind with this book.

Where to begin? Let’s meet the characters. We have a very tender and kind hero, Luca, a companion of Lady Granville, and Lady Mary, a perfect society lady. When I first glimpsed Mary’s characters, she sounded like a mean lady but I knew there must be a story underneath and I was right. She hides her true self for her family, to avoid any scandal that might threaten her family. Oh, I felt sorry for her. She longs to be herself, to express her feelings but she can’t. She has to be strong and unafraid. She has to be the perfect society lady. On the other hand, Luca, despite his lack of title and wealth, warmed my heart and Mary’s with his tenderness and kindness.

Luca is attracted to Mary even though he knows he can’t be with Mary yet he keeps on pursuing her. When Mary is in need of help, Luca is always there to help her and Mary begins to break down her strong wall before him, just to be herself. I loved when Mary reveals her jealousy and she is on the verge of crying and Luca runs after her and soothes her. Ah that was sweet. I was so caught up in the romantic journey of Luca and Mary, but their journey isn’t without bumps. Mary has to deal with her trauma and also her friends and her scandalous secret. Just when I thought that her happy ending was near, I was taken aback into more emotional turmoil of how Mary has to sacrifice her happiness.

Well Lotte R. James’s writing has the power to bring out all emotions within me. The traumatic past that Mary and her friends experienced, the heartbreaking issue between her and Luca, the heart-warming family ties and the friendship that Lady Granville offers to Luca. It is all emotionally powerful and touching. If Lotte ever offers to review her next book, I’m definitely in! Thank you, Lotte R. James, for the e-arc which I volunteered to review.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the Author

Lotte R. James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers while dreaming up stories of love and adventures. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration or nestling with coffee and a book. You can reach her on Twitter https://twitter.com/lottejamesbooks.

 

Title: Never Wager with a Wallflower
The Merriwell Sisters #3)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: November 2023
Genre: Romance Comedy, Regency Historical, Opposite-Attract, Historical Romance

Blurb:

The third and final delightful instalment in the Merriwell Sister’s Regency rom-com series.

Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Convent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door. For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams – and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago...

While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble – and learn to love thy neighbour?

My Review:

I had been so looking forward to this last series of the Merriwell Sisters as the pious Venus Merriwell was going to be attached to Galahad Sinclair!

It’s been five years since the tragedy of Galahad being flattened by Venus and they have tried their best to steer clear of one another however on the day Galahad gains the perfect buildings for his forthcoming business, he coincidentally comes across the self-righteous Venus whom happens to work in the orphanage adjacent to his buildings. Oh I was so excited to find out what they will become of!

I had never laughed so hard over the book for quite some time and Virginia Heath’s book did it to me. I was so engrossed and touched by the caring albeit found family, especially their wager over the cards game between Venus and Galahad, the untamed orphanage kids who have become tameable particularly after the most hilarious incident to make Galahad’s place in chaos, and the regular spar between Venus and Galahad.

This is such a fabulous romance-comedy, well-drawn and moving read. I couldn’t compare each story of Merriwell Sisters as they all are the best. This last Merriwell Sisters series has perfectly completed it.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.

 

Title: Her Warrior’s Surprise Return
(Brothers and Rivals #1)
Author: Ella Matthews
Published: October 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Childhood Sweethearts-to-Enemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

A dramatic, intense medieval romance

A surprise reunion

With the warrior from her past...

It’s been years since Ruaidhri abandoned Sorcha, and she’s no longer the woman she once was. Now leader of the Suibhne Clan, she must unite her people against invading forces. When rumors of Ruaidhri’s return to Ireland prove true, she’s unsettled at seeing him again. He offers to help her, but his past betrayal still burns, even if desire is as strong as ever. Should Sorcha trust her head...or her heart?

My Review:

I did enjoy how this story went without having to hypothesize how many mysteries would be concealed before I reached the end of the story. This is a fabulous read where childhood sweethearts became enemies!

Ruaidhri is infamous for his ruthless tactics as mercenary that is what Sorcha has been convinced since he left her eight years ago. So when Ruaidhri returns to Suibhne clan set in Ireland, Sorcha is afraid that he will destroy her clan. Despite his hate after what the clan had done to him, his affection and love for Sorcha apparently has not dissipated, yet it grows strongly and makes him so protective of her. Both characters think that they have a hold over one another and it might break their heart over again particularly in their predicament.

The story worked very well for me, I was unable to stop from turning the pages especially after the dramatic encounter between Ruaidhri and his brother which he knew nothing about. That was the peak of the story which I couldn’t forget and I was hoping I got the chance to read his brother’s story. I loved how Ella Matthews wrote this story. Her wonderful story-telling about the history, the survival of a small clan and these childhood sweethearts kept me glued to the book. If you in need of light reading yet still entertaining, I highly recommend it. Thank you, Ella Matthews, for the e-arc which I voluntarily reviewed.

 Rate: 4.5 of 5

About the author

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes, she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes, but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else). Follow her at https://www.ellamatthews.co.uk/ or her Twitter at https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor

 

Title: Second Chance with His Viking Wife
Author: Sarah Rodi
Published: September 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Enemies-to-Lovers, Second Chance at Love, Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

A high-stakes marriage of convenience in the Viking

Back to claim his crown

...and his wife!

Prince Teon married the Viking chief’s daughter Revna to prevent a war, only to leave immediately to fight another one. Now he’s returned to claim his crown! He’s returned too discover the love of his people have for Revna, and by the intensity of their unexpected connection. Teon tells himself he only needs Revna as an ally, until the passion of their belated wedding night promises they could be so much more...

My Review:

When I got an offer to review Sarah Rodi’s upcoming book, I was assured that it would be promising and indeed it is! After the hustle bustle of the work at school, I took the book and thoroughly enjoyed having it!

To begin with, Prince Teon and Revna were forced to wed by both fathers to prevent further war between heathen and Saxon. On the wedding night, Teon’s hatred towards Revna made him leave her for eight years. He then returns to claim his crown on the day of her father’s burial and discovered the little girl he married to has grown into a brave beautiful woman.

Yet when someone is going to take over the crown and starts the war, Teon and Revna have no alternative but to stay within the keep. Teon is a handsome big grumpy prince with fiery temperament for his Viking wife. On the contrary, Revna is too good to be with Teon but I was unable to deny that they match very well! Revna is brave, resourceful, too forgiving and compassionate. Despite Teon’s unfriendly treatment, she keeps on helping the Saxon people. Well, I loved how Teon can’t resist his growing sexual desire to Revna, and he begins to feel possessive when Revna touches one of his friends to treat the wound. There are lot of things that Teon has to conquer; his crown, his revenge, his anger, and his desire for his wife, and oh! They intimate relation is beyond spicy.

I became rather annoyed about Teon’s temperament, how he could be so cruel for the things Revna is unaware of but everything is worth the wait when mystery after mystery is unveiled. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this book. It is emotionally powerful, thoroughly riveting with spicy scenes and so uplifting at the end. It is enemies-to-lovers, second chance at love, and marriage of convenience in one! Highly recommended for those who love those tropes! Thank you, Sarah Rodi, for the e-ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the Author

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her granddad, or devouring love stories from local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Barkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over twenty years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Harlequin Historical. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy-ever-after. You can contact her via https://twitter.com/sarahrodiedits or visit her website at https://www.sarahrodi.com/