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The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin
As a sword dancer and a famous thief-catcher play a cat and mouse game across the city streets and rooftops of imperial China, the one suspect that Thief-catcher Han cannot capture turns out to be the only woman he wants to hold on to.
Why you should read it: This love story was wonderful, and the setting and history were beautifully rendered. I don't have much (any) familiarity with Tang Dynasty China, let alone the specific politics and power structures at play. Jeannie Lin does a gorgeous job of balancing the information I needed as a reader with the pace of the book. I never felt like info-dump interrupted the narrative, but I also never felt lost or adrift. The romance itself, between two delightfully crafted characters, fit perfectly alongside the mystery and drama. I loved Han and Li Feng, and I've added so many more stories by this author to my TBR.
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It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
After an unconventional upbringing, Ben is perfectly content with the quiet, predictable life of a country vicar, free of strife or turmoil. When he’s asked to look after an absent naval captain’s three wild children, he reluctantly agrees, but instantly falls for the hellions. And when their stern but gloriously handsome father arrives, Ben is tempted in ways that make him doubt everything.
Phillip can’t wait to leave England’s shores and be back on his ship, away from the grief that haunts him. But his children have driven off a succession of governesses and tutors and he must set things right. The unexpected presence of the cheerful, adorable vicar sets his world on its head and now he can’t seem to live without Ben’s winning smiles or devastating kisses.
In the midst of runaway children, a plot to blackmail Ben’s family, and torturous nights of pleasure, Ben and Phillip must decide if a safe life is worth losing the one thing that makes them come alive.
Why you should read it: This whole book felt like the best sort of homage to The Sound of Music. It wraps so many of my favorite tropes into one lovely story. The writing and pacing are perfect, and the dialog is exactly the right level of cheek. I really loved this and will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
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The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.
Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.
While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
Why you should read it: I've been meaning to read this book for ages, and it was every bit as delightful as I anticipated. It features charming characters who are equal parts stubborn and protective, and I loved seeing them support each other's ambitions. I could have done without the misunderstanding-for-added-drama right at the end, but it wasn't protracted or badly done, so I'm not holding it against an otherwise very enjoyable book.
The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin
As a sword dancer and a famous thief-catcher play a cat and mouse game across the city streets and rooftops of imperial China, the one suspect that Thief-catcher Han cannot capture turns out to be the only woman he wants to hold on to.
Why you should read it: This love story was wonderful, and the setting and history were beautifully rendered. I don't have much (any) familiarity with Tang Dynasty China, let alone the specific politics and power structures at play. Jeannie Lin does a gorgeous job of balancing the information I needed as a reader with the pace of the book. I never felt like info-dump interrupted the narrative, but I also never felt lost or adrift. The romance itself, between two delightfully crafted characters, fit perfectly alongside the mystery and drama. I loved Han and Li Feng, and I've added so many more stories by this author to my TBR.
- — - — - — - — -
It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
After an unconventional upbringing, Ben is perfectly content with the quiet, predictable life of a country vicar, free of strife or turmoil. When he’s asked to look after an absent naval captain’s three wild children, he reluctantly agrees, but instantly falls for the hellions. And when their stern but gloriously handsome father arrives, Ben is tempted in ways that make him doubt everything.
Phillip can’t wait to leave England’s shores and be back on his ship, away from the grief that haunts him. But his children have driven off a succession of governesses and tutors and he must set things right. The unexpected presence of the cheerful, adorable vicar sets his world on its head and now he can’t seem to live without Ben’s winning smiles or devastating kisses.
In the midst of runaway children, a plot to blackmail Ben’s family, and torturous nights of pleasure, Ben and Phillip must decide if a safe life is worth losing the one thing that makes them come alive.
Why you should read it: This whole book felt like the best sort of homage to The Sound of Music. It wraps so many of my favorite tropes into one lovely story. The writing and pacing are perfect, and the dialog is exactly the right level of cheek. I really loved this and will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
- — - — - — - — -
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.
Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.
While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
Why you should read it: I've been meaning to read this book for ages, and it was every bit as delightful as I anticipated. It features charming characters who are equal parts stubborn and protective, and I loved seeing them support each other's ambitions. I could have done without the misunderstanding-for-added-drama right at the end, but it wasn't protracted or badly done, so I'm not holding it against an otherwise very enjoyable book.
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