Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Bridgertons #3
Reviewed by Kate
When the Earl of Penwood’s illegitimate daughter, Sophie, is dropped off at his doorstep he chooses to raise her as his ward. Sophie enjoys a quiet existence in the country until the earl’s new wife Araminta and her two daughters arrive. When the earl dies, Sophie is forced to become Araminta’s unpaid servant. Sneaking into Lady Bridgerton’s masquerade ball, Sophie meets Benedict. And, 300 pages later, they live happily ever after. An obvious retelling of Cinderella that you can’t help but love, this book left me with a happy sigh at the end.
historical
Dusk With A Dangerous Duke by Alexandra Hawkins
Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Lords Of Vice #6
Reviewed by Kay
This is the latest installment of the Lords Of Vice series by Alexandra Hawkins. This novel features Hunter and Lady Grace. They have been betrothed since childhood. Grace was in fact a two year old. This arrangement was made up between Hunter’s grandmother and Grace’s grandfather.
Hunter is a Lord of Vice and the Duke of Huntsley. Grace is a titled lady in her own right. Hunter left her in the country for nineteen years so they both could grow up. She was kept under his protection after her grandfather’s death. She grew up with her governess and not much of anyone else.
Hunter grew up in mischief and lived the lifestyle of a rake. Grace held a love of sorts toward Hunter, By that I mean she was in love with the idea of him and their upcoming marriage. Hunter abandoned Grace in the country with resentment toward her. He didn’t want a wife and basically blamed her for their situation. For years, she wrote to him and waited for him to acknowledge her in some way, which he never did.
Grace takes years of slights from Hunter and finally decides she’s had enough and comes to London. She calls off the betrothal and starts looking for another husband. Hunter goes absolutely ballistic at the news. See, they will both lose their fortunes if the betrothal doesn’t go through. Hunter goes on a mission to court the woman he should never have had to court.
I enjoyed watching Hunter scramble because his treatment of an orphaned girl was abhorrent. He resented a girl who was given to him to protect and he ignored her. I found him as a character to be selfish and repugnant. I love the Lords of Vice series and it is an auto read and buy for me. I was so looking forward to this book. I was disappointed a little and I felt it could’ve been better. It also didn’t get hot until 60% into the book. Even then, you only got an interrupted scene and one full sex scene. I need more and expect more from Alexandra Hawkins. I hope we get it with Frost’s book and the series goes out with bang.
One Good Earl Deserves A Lover by Sarah Maclean
Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-The Rules Of Scoundrels #2
Reviewed by Kay
Pippa Marbury is smart. Really, really smart. She knows something about almost everything. What she doesn’t know, she wants to learn. She’s to get married at the onset of this novel and she wants to know more about sex. How to seduce her betrothed who seems oblivious to anything of a sexual nature.
Cross, no name but Cross for most of the book is part owner of The Fallen Angel gaming hell. He is close friends with Pippa’s brother-in-law. Cross is a consummate rake by reputation. He was the spare that became the heir. He has a truckload of guilt and a few secrets to go with his rakishness. Is that a word?
Pippa goes to the hell to see if Cross can answer her questions on seduction and the physical aspect of marriage. Cross is dumbfounded but intrigued. He is tempted beyond measure but refuses her request for a number of reasons. Pippa misunderstand his refusal. See, Pippa is the smart girl but plain in her eyes and most others also. Listening to her description of why Cross refuses her is tear inducing.
This novel was almost a total hit for me. It was so close to perfection. I have been reading a lot of books that have been just okay. Not bad but not like this one. What kept it from a perfect rating for me was 1) they were both betrothed to other people at certain times in the book and 2) he was a redhead. I know it’s petty but red headed men just don’t do it for and it’s hard for me to but into it. Still, it’s on my Best of 2013 list.
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