book review, young adult

Queen Bee by Amelie Howard (Review)

Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined.

Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside.

With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire.

In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart?… Read More Queen Bee by Amelie Howard (Review)

Adult, book review

Always be My Duchess by Amelie Howard (Review)

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can’t break a man’s heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution . . .

Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron’s mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.

Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts… Read More Always be My Duchess by Amelie Howard (Review)

Adult, book review

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall (Review)

Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up…romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up…romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella and prove to her that he’s not the cold-hearted cad he seems to be. Despite copious misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase to Dover with Bonny by his side. Bonny is unreasonable, overdramatic, annoying, and…beautiful? And being with him makes Valentine question everything he thought he knew. About himself. About love. Even about which Tarleton he should be pursuing… Read More Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall (Review)

Adult, ARC review, book review

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (ARC Review)

They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis—neighbors call her the Witch of Oldhouse—and the haphazard manifestations of her powers make her the subject of malicious gossip. When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives to town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has traveled the world performing his talents for admiring audiences. He sees Nina not as a witch, but ripe with potential to master her power under his tutelage. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent blossoms, as does her love for him. But great romances are for fairytales, and Hector is hiding a truth from Nina — and himself — that threatens to end their courtship before it truly begins. The Beautiful Ones is a charming tale of love and betrayal, and the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon… Read More The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (ARC Review)

ARC review, book review, young adult

An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker (ARC Review)

When Lady Katherine’s father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn’t the only secret he’s been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father’s mission, and to take it one step further–kill the queen herself.… Read More An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker (ARC Review)

waiting on wednesday, weekly meme

Waiting on Wednesday #3: An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker

Hey everyone! And happy Wednesday! I missed one or two weeks of Waiting on Wednesday because I went through some bad real life stuff. But I’m back now! And, I have to say that I’m definitely having a lot of fun with these posts, so you can expect for me to participate in this meme for… Read More Waiting on Wednesday #3: An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker

Adult, book review

My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris (Review)

Title: My Lady’s Choosing Author: Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris Type: Fiction Genre: YA, Historical, Romance, Humour Publisher: Quirk Books (Penguin Random House) Date published: April 3, 2018 A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. The romance novel that lets you pick your path,… Read More My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris (Review)

Adult, ARC review, blog tour, book review

The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo (Blog Tour & ARC Review)

Title: The Fire by Night Author: Teresa Messineo Type: Fiction Genre: Adult, Historical, WWII Imprint: William Morrow Publisher: HarperCollins Date published: January 17, 2017 Format: Paperback Page Count: 320 Source: Blog Tour Host A physical copy of the book was kindly provided by the blog tour host, in exchange for an honest review. Summary: A powerful and evocative debut novel… Read More The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo (Blog Tour & ARC Review)