![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yolandekleinn- — - — - — - — -
The Hellion's Waltz by Olivia Waite
Sophie Roseingrave hates nothing more than a swindler. After her family lost their piano shop to a con man in London, they’re trying to start fresh in a new town. Her father is convinced Carrisford is an upright and honest place, but Sophie is not so sure. She has grave suspicions about silk-weaver Madeline Crewe, whose stunning beauty doesn’t hide the fact that she’s up to something.
All Maddie Crewe needs is one big score, one grand heist to properly fund the weavers’ union forever. She has found her mark in Mr. Giles, a greedy draper, and the entire association of weavers and tailors and clothing merchants has agreed to help her. The very last thing she needs is a small but determined piano-teacher and composer sticking her nose in other people’s business. If Sophie won’t be put off, the only thing to do is to seduce her to the cause.
Will Sophie’s scruples force her to confess the plot before Maddie gets her money? Or will Maddie lose her nerve along with her heart?
Why you should read it: This series just keeps getting better. I loved not only the romance in this, but the wider community with its vivid and charming cast. There were some elements and characters I would have loved to see explored more thoroughly, and if ever I learn there's going to be a continuation involving any of those threads, I will be absolutely delighted. A lovely read.
- — - — - — - — -
Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian
Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.
Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.
When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?
Why you should read it: What a goddamn delight. The characters in this book are charming and hilarious in the best ways. I love the way Cat Sebastian writes across the board, but the dialog in this book is among her best. I laughed out loud so many times, on top of the fact that the chemistry between the MC's was completely incendiary, and the supporting cast absolutely won my entire heart.
- — - — - — - — -
The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee
London, 1883. Finely dressed and finely drunk, Charlie Price is a man dedicated to his vices. Chief among them is his explicit novel collection, though his impending marriage to a woman he can’t love will force his carefully curated collection into hiding.
Before it does, Charlie is determined to have one last hurrah: meeting his favorite author in person.
Miles Montague is more gifted as a smut writer than a shopkeep, and uses his royalties to keep his flagging bookstore afloat. So when a cheerful dandy appears out of the mist with Miles's highly-secret penname on his pretty lips, Miles assumes the worst. But Charlie Price is no blackmailer; he’s Miles's biggest fan.
A scribbled signature on a worn book page sets off an affair as scorching as anything Miles ever wrote. But Miles is clinging to a troubled past, while Charlie’s future has spun entirely out of his control...
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this historical romance. The author does such a fantastic job of painting characters that come to the table with troubles and traumas and unexamined baggage—and showing how all those rough edges have the potential to fit together and lead to something good. It's not an easy path, and there are times these two men stumble and hurt each other along the way, but they're fundamentally trying so hard to do right by one another, and the affection is real and sweet and good. I mean, also incendiary. It is a very sexy book, and I appreciate the hell out of that balance.
The Hellion's Waltz by Olivia Waite
Sophie Roseingrave hates nothing more than a swindler. After her family lost their piano shop to a con man in London, they’re trying to start fresh in a new town. Her father is convinced Carrisford is an upright and honest place, but Sophie is not so sure. She has grave suspicions about silk-weaver Madeline Crewe, whose stunning beauty doesn’t hide the fact that she’s up to something.
All Maddie Crewe needs is one big score, one grand heist to properly fund the weavers’ union forever. She has found her mark in Mr. Giles, a greedy draper, and the entire association of weavers and tailors and clothing merchants has agreed to help her. The very last thing she needs is a small but determined piano-teacher and composer sticking her nose in other people’s business. If Sophie won’t be put off, the only thing to do is to seduce her to the cause.
Will Sophie’s scruples force her to confess the plot before Maddie gets her money? Or will Maddie lose her nerve along with her heart?
Why you should read it: This series just keeps getting better. I loved not only the romance in this, but the wider community with its vivid and charming cast. There were some elements and characters I would have loved to see explored more thoroughly, and if ever I learn there's going to be a continuation involving any of those threads, I will be absolutely delighted. A lovely read.
- — - — - — - — -
Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian
Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.
Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.
When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?
Why you should read it: What a goddamn delight. The characters in this book are charming and hilarious in the best ways. I love the way Cat Sebastian writes across the board, but the dialog in this book is among her best. I laughed out loud so many times, on top of the fact that the chemistry between the MC's was completely incendiary, and the supporting cast absolutely won my entire heart.
- — - — - — - — -
The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee
London, 1883. Finely dressed and finely drunk, Charlie Price is a man dedicated to his vices. Chief among them is his explicit novel collection, though his impending marriage to a woman he can’t love will force his carefully curated collection into hiding.
Before it does, Charlie is determined to have one last hurrah: meeting his favorite author in person.
Miles Montague is more gifted as a smut writer than a shopkeep, and uses his royalties to keep his flagging bookstore afloat. So when a cheerful dandy appears out of the mist with Miles's highly-secret penname on his pretty lips, Miles assumes the worst. But Charlie Price is no blackmailer; he’s Miles's biggest fan.
A scribbled signature on a worn book page sets off an affair as scorching as anything Miles ever wrote. But Miles is clinging to a troubled past, while Charlie’s future has spun entirely out of his control...
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this historical romance. The author does such a fantastic job of painting characters that come to the table with troubles and traumas and unexamined baggage—and showing how all those rough edges have the potential to fit together and lead to something good. It's not an easy path, and there are times these two men stumble and hurt each other along the way, but they're fundamentally trying so hard to do right by one another, and the affection is real and sweet and good. I mean, also incendiary. It is a very sexy book, and I appreciate the hell out of that balance.
Tags:
