A Duchess for the Duke - Review

A Duchess for the Duke (Claivoir Castle Romance, # 0.5)

By: Sally Britton

Expected Publication: April 1, 2023 by Pink Citrus Books

100 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The Duke of Montfort takes a wife.

Gregory Dinard, a young duke caught unprepared for his role, needs a companion. When he meets Cecilia, he knows she has the grace and intelligence his duchess will need.

Lady Cecilia never expected more than a marriage of mutual benefit, but she's still surprised when the duke proposes an alliance between them.

Will love find a place in this practical arrangement?

This is the prequel novella for the Clairvoir Castle Romances series. Available on Amazon Spring 2023.

Gregory & Cecilia have been the sweetest parents to the main characters of the Claivoir Castle Romance series. They have been background or side characters that have led with strength, honor, and dignity. They have shaped the lives and character of their children and shown them a love that each child wants of their own. But how did these two characters' stories begin?

Because this is a novella, I don't have a ton to say about it, so this review will be short and sweet like this story.

Gregory's father has recently passed, and he is thrust into the role of Duke. He has been focused on all of his tasks and responsibilities required of him, but he is realizing that he does need to take a wife. His mother has come up with a list of women she thinks he should look into. And Gregory doesn't take long to zero in on Cecilia. Her personality and character show her an excellent option for a Duchess.

Cecilia has never been a social climber, so she never envisioned marrying a Duke. When Gregory approaches Cecilia, she thinks he's just appeasing his mother and can't be seriously interested in her as a partner and wife. When she realizes he's serious, she sees the advantages of marrying a Duke. She had no idea that her dreams of architecture would come in handy to restoring the ancestoral home of, nor did she realize that she would fall completely in love with her husband.

The Claivoir Castle series is a light-hearted and fun series. It isn't supposed to be heavy with drama or conflict, and sometimes I find that this is exactly what I need to be reading right now. And Gregory and Cecilia's romance was exactly the light and heart-warming experience I needed. Jessica Elisa Boyd does a wonderful job, as always, narrating this series. A Duchess for the Duke gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Duchess for the Duke? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 12/10/23

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

The first couple of days this week were a little rough with behavior from the kiddos, but by Wednesday things were straightening out. And we ended the week strong. The big kids have official started martial arts this week. I guess this will be their activity of choice outside of baseball/softball season as long as they are interested. So far they are loving it. I tried making homemade pretzels with the kids this week, but they had me so frazzled I missed the entire step of letting the dough rise. Crucial step there. I also made homemade pizza dough. I'm working my way up to homemade bread. Thursday we spent the day with my parents at their house. Then Friday we finished school early and Little Girl went down the road to her friend's great grandmother's house and spent a couple of hours. Saturday, we went to Anniston to an annual family reunion we have there. It was a small crowd this year, but I love seeing my kids get more and more comfortable there. Little Girl was cracking jokes and Baby Boy asked to lead the prayer before lunch. I listened to an audiobook and practiced crocheting. Doing that made the trip feel faster than ever and more enjoyable.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of His Disinclined Bride (Seasons of Change, # 7) by Jennie Goutet (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Funny Story by Emily Henry
Thursday: Review of The Shameless Flirt (The Ashbrooks, # 2) by MA Nichols (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Duchess for the Duke (Claivoir Castle, # 0.5) by Sally Britton
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of Lord Farleigh and Miss Frost (Claivoir Castle, # 3) by Sally Britton

Don’t forget to link up for the 2023 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2023 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

The Getaway List

By: Emma Lord

Expected Publication: January 23, 2024 by Macmillan Young Listeners

Duration: 9 Hours, 49 Minutes, 49 Seconds

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

The Irish Goodbye

By: Amy Ewing

Expected Publication: June 4, 2024 by Alcove Press

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--It’s hate-at-first-sight when a jilted Irish chef returns home to Inishmore and immediately clashes with a mouthy American tourist.

This steamy romance novel by New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing is perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Beth O’Leary.

Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland’s picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.

The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O’Connor, a grumpy local who’s just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia’s and Niall’s paths cross, the more they make each other’s lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it’s going to heat up their cool coastal nights.

Featuring a lovable band of quirky supporting characters, The Irish Goodbye is a steamy, emotionally gripping tale of love, passion, art, food, and finding where you belong.

Blood and Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 1)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Expected Publication: December 12, 2023 by Dreamscape Media

Duration: 14 Hours, 53 Minutes

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend.

Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.

The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.

All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms.

Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?

If you like fierce sword-wielding heroines and brooding, tortured heroes, you will devour this sexy, addictive fantasy adventure.

Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher, BLOOD & STEEL is an epic romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn spice, found family, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters. Blood & Steel is the gripping first book in the heart-pounding, epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr.

Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 1)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: December 1, 2023

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. Unwilling to consider marriage, Finola has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arrange for her. At wit's end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can't outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.

A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.

Escape to 1849 St. Louis for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pen of bestselling author Jody Hedlund.

Flirty Little Secret

By: Jessica Lepe

Expected Publication: March 19, 2024 by Forever

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary in this sweet, sexy romantic comedy for fans of Lynn Painter and Lyssa Kay Adams.

School counselor Lucy Galindo has a secret.

To her coworkers, friends, and even family, she’s shy, sweet, and constantly struggling to hold off disaster (read: manage her anxiety and depression). But online? She’s bold, confident, and always knows what to say—it’s how she’s become the wildly popular @TheMissGuidedCounselor. It’s also why she keeps her identity anonymous. Her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems.

History teacher Aldrich Fletcher thought a new job would give him some relief from his drama-filled family. Instead, he’s dodging his ex-girlfriend and pining over his new co-worker—who only ever seems to see him at his worst. Thankfully, he can count on his online confidant for advice . . . until he discovers @TheMissGuidedCounselor is Lucy.

Now Fletcher has a secret too. And while Lucy can’t deny there’s something between them, she’s not sure she can trust him. Can they both find the courage to share the truth and step out from behind their screens?

The Lady He Lost

By: Faye Delacour

Expected Publication: April 2, 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Her only interest is in making her own way in the world. Luckily, he can help.

Lieutenant Eli Williams was supposed to be dead. In the two years since his shipwreck, his friends and family mourned him, his brother spent his savings, and his fiancée married someone else. So, when he turns up in the middle of the London social season, he quickly becomes the talk of the town. All Eli wants is to set his life back in order and reconnect with Jane Bishop, a friend who has always meant so much more to him, before returning to sea.

Jane refuses to waste any more of her life pining over Eli, who chose her cousin instead of her. She needs to focus on gaining her financial independence by establishing a ladies' gambling club. Never mind that Eli keeps trying to atone for his past mistake by bringing in new members. He's obviously keeping secrets about his disappearance, which means that she can't trust him with her heart even if she did kiss him in a moment of weakness. Or three.

As Eli works to regain her trust, Jane's defensive walls begin to crumble. But when Eli faces a court of inquiry on suspicion of desertion, Jane must decide if she can let go of the past to build a future with Eli, or risk losing him for good.

This charming and sexy friends to enemies to lovers historical romance romp is the perfect read for fans of Evie Dunmore and India Holton.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

The Shameless Flirt - Review

The Shameless Flirt (The Ashbrooks, # 2)

By: MA Nichols

Expected Publication: February 5, 2019

284 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A rogue with a silver tongue, a spinster with an iron heart, and the doorstep baby that brings them together.

Ambrose Ashbrook spends his life hiding. Even his family sees nothing but the roguish façade he hides behind. But when he finds an abandoned infant, all pretense is upended with one look at her dimpled smile. Knowing his sister is better equipped to help the child, Ambrose climbs aboard a carriage bound for the country.

It’s only a day’s journey. An easy distance. Caring for a baby cannot be that difficult…

Mary Hayward despises flirts. One broke her heart, and she won’t allow it to happen again, so being trapped in a public coach with a chatty charmer is the last thing she wants. But when it’s clear the gentleman is struggling to care for his young charge, Mary has no choice but to lend a hand.

If only he would be quiet! A gentleman like him cannot possibly be interested in a plain spinster like herself… Could he?

I started The Shameless Flirt on my drive to my sister's house 3-3.5 hours away from home. And I have to say that this was the perfect audiobook for me to listen to on my drive. And shame on me, but I finished this book more than a month before sitting down to write my review. I can't seem to get into a rhythm of writing reviews now that my computer is shut away in the office where Husband is working from home all day.

I haven't often read (or listened) to a book where one of the main characters is described as unattractive. That was the case for Mary. Because she's unattractive, she's pretty much been overlooked her whole life. She had an experience with someone that she was in love with, and they gave all indications they reciprocated until it became clear that she was just being used as sport. It broke Mary's heart and shattered her trust. As far as trust goes, it didn't help the way that her parents put all their efforts on helping her sister secure a wealthy match and treat Mary like a servant or housekeeper. How could anyone love her when her family didn't even seem to?

Amrbose has been labeled as the flirt. His family doesn't take him seriously, and neither does society. He has been known to engage with women here or there, but only ones who wouldn't expect him to marry them. He's charming, even when he doesn't mean to be. And he reminded me of Husband in many ways. Ambrose finds himself in possession of a small child that was meant for his neighbor, who, of course, would not accept the child. Ambrose needs to determine a good home for Dottie (I think I remember that being her name), and so he sets off to his sister's house to ask her for help.

Mary's parents take her sister to London for the season in hopes of securing her a wealthy marriage. Mary expects to spend the season in London as well. But her mother essentially sends her home in a public coach. Mary and Ambrose are forced together in the coach for most of their journey home since Mary's home and Ambrose's sister are neighboring estates. Despite Ambrose quickly forming an attachment to Dottie, it is obvious that he doesn't know the first thing about entertaining or taking care of a child. Mary takes pity on him despite having an objection to Ambrose's flirtatious personality, which she almost takes as a personal affront, considering flirtation was used as a weapon against her at one time. She despises the falseness about it all. Ambrose can't figure out what he's done to offend her, but he appreciates her help with Dottie regardless.

You would think their journey would take up the majority of the story, but that isn't the case. Ambrose and Mary do have a lengthy journey that felt like it would never end in some ways, but it was also not the entirety of the book. Ambrose begins to realize he's developed feelings for Mary and attempts to court her, but Mary is so wholly unable to even imagine someone could possibly love her in that way that she can't believe him to be genuine. Much of the story revolves around Ambrose's attempts to woo her.

Since so much time has passed between finishing the book and sitting down to write this review (shamefully, a whole two months), I'm struggling with the finer details. But I do remember that I really enjoyed it. I appreciated the backstory between both main characters. Their own histories and hurts from the past playing into their struggle to overcome where they are now in hopes of having a future where they could possibly be happy together was done well. I will check out other books by MA Nichols for sure. I liked how each and every piece of this story played out. I only wish I had written down my feelings about it all much sooner. I can't forget the narrator, Madeleine Brolly, does a wonderful job as well. The Shameless Flirt gets 4 Stars. Have you read or listened to The Shameless Flirt? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Funny Story

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Funny Story

By: Emily Henry

Expected Publication: April 23, 2024 by Berkley

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads —Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

His Disinclined Bride - Review

His Disinclinde Bride (Seasons of Change, # 7)

By: Jennie Goutet

Expected Publication: October 28, 2020 by Millefeuille Press

270 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Theirs is not a love match. She’ll make sure of it.

Kitty Stokes never imagined she’d be so weak as to sacrifice herself on the altar of family obligations, but when the only alternative to marriage with Lord Hayworth is to play nursemaid to her brother’s children, Kitty reluctantly agrees. On her wedding day, she’s certain she has made a grave error, but it’s too late to back out.

Phineas Hayworth refrained from setting eyes on his new bride before their wedding day—the price he forced himself to pay for being so mercenary as to wed the sister of a wealthy merchant in a bid to save his estate from ruins. Her beauty, therefore, comes as a shock, as does her icy treatment, which he feels he deserves. He swears an oath he will not approach her for an heir unless the invitation comes from her.

As Phineas sets out to put his estate in order and present his new wife to Society, he finds her more enchanting than he could have hoped for, even in a love match. Kitty continues to hold him at arm’s length, although he suspects her feelings for him run just as deep. As Phineas’s love and desire for his wife grows, the oath he swore her begins to suffocate. It soon becomes clear that while he’d once been prepared to settle for a loveless marriage, he will not abide an unrequited love.

His Disinclined Bride is a sweet/clean regency romance, stand-alone novel about arranged marriage, and book seven in the Seasons of Change series.

Kitty knows she isn't close to her brother or his wife. She adores their children, but her brother is distant, and her sister-in-law seems to view her as an intruder. Yet Kitty thought she would be able to choose her future, that her brother would allow her some say in it. But instead, he goes off and marries her to a stranger. She can't imagine who would "purchase" a bride sight unseen. I felt so bad for her because she goes into her marriage terrified.

Phineas made the arrangements without even seeing his future bride. He put all his trust in his solicitor to make sure she wasn't unattractive. Phineas needs to marry to be able to start repairs on his estate. He is set to inherit from his father, but he wants to make his own way in the world. And a bride's fortune is what he needs. While he accomplished his own needs, he didn't consider that his bride might not want to be married, and even if she does, she might not want to marry him. He doesn't realize that she wasn't given a choice in the matter.

Phineas and Kitty have a slow build to their relationship. They begin to form an alliance and seem to be aligned in their goal of establishing a home. Kitty is still hesitant to let him in past her walls. I enjoyed the inclusion of an older neighbor that Kitty somewhat confides in. Those who have more years than us often have so much wisdom and advice to give.

In truth, I loved just about every part of this book. I already have a soft spot for arranged marriages, so I was pretty much set up to like this book. And I'm glad that I found it. Kitty and Phineas have such a sweet story. If you're looking for a feel-good book that is a fast read (or listen), this is the one. His Disinclined Bride gets 4 Stars. Stevie Zimmerman as always does a great job with the narration. Have you read (or listened) to His Disinclined Bride? What did you think? Let me know!