Sometimes I just can’t pull off a review, but still want to share what I’ve read. When that happens, I’ll share them in this feature 🙂
This set of books was put together when I was finalizing my review that goes live tomorrow… book 2 for one of the books below. And I realized I hadn’t reviewed book 1 yet. So I looked through my Goodreads shelves and discovered a few HRs I read for book club… ages ago! Here they are, in order of when I read them:
Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen Narrator: Beverley A. Crick
Series: Covent Garden Cubs #1
Published by Tantor Audio, Sourcebooks Casablanca on February 3, 2015
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 384
Length: 9 hours 42 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Narrator Rating: A
Earls Just Want to Have Fun is the book I thought I’d already reviewed… and since I read it in April 2015 it makes sense that I would have. So just a year and a half later, I’m finally giving it the 4.5 stars it deserved. I loved having a not so proper lady in Marlowe – because she’d been raised on the streets. In fact, that’s what I’m loving in this series in general – the chance to see the other side of Regency England. I also loved that Lord Dane ends up crazy about her because of how she is different from all the other women he’s around. There’s also a fair bit of action to keep things intense. Both kinds of action 😉Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker-and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she's alone, she allows herself to think of a time before-a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth. Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton, but Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.Contains mature themes.
The narrator, Beverley A. Crick, is a favorite and I’m so glad I started this series on audio.
Match of the Century by Cathy Maxwell Narrator: Mary Jane Wells
Series: Marrying the Duke #1
Published by Avon on November 24, 2015
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 390
Length: 7 hours 30 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Narrator Rating: B
the Match of the Century isn’t nearly AS overdue, seeing as I read it in January of this year. I really enjoy Cathy Maxwell’s writing style, but this one wasn’t quite to her standards IMO. In the end I rooted for this second chance romance, but I did wish the characters had been better developed. It took me a while to feel really connected to them and that made it so I was annoyed by them more than loved them, frequently. In the end, though, there was some great action, great side characters and enough to make this an enjoyable read.In New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell's glittering new series, wedding bells are ringing… until the return of a rake throws a bride's plans— and heart—into a tailspin
Every debutante aspires to snag a duke. Elin Morris just happens to have had one reserved since birth. But postponements of her marriage to London's most powerful peer give Elin time to wonder how she will marry Gavin Baynton when she cannot forget his brother, Benedict.
Already exasperated at being yanked from the military to meet "family obligations," now Ben must suffer watching his arrogant sibling squire the only woman he has ever loved. Joining the army saved Ben from sinking into bitterness, but seeing Elin again takes him back to the day they surrendered to their intoxicating desire.
As the wedding draws near, Elin tries to push Ben far from her thoughts. When danger brings them together, there is no denying their feelings. But can Elin choose love over duty...?
Mary Jane Wells read The Match of the Century and while her narration didn’t bother me (because I always note that!) it also didn’t stick with me or result in an addition to my favorites list. My note says, B… so I’m going to say it was a solid B performance, since I don’t remember anything notable!
Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Series: Rokesbys #1
Published by Avon on March 29, 2016
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 387
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Because of Miss Bridgerton is hardly even overdue 🙂 I read it in July of this year. *pats self on back* By the end I really enjoyed this book – it just took me until the halfway point to really get into it. I never disliked it – or I would have DNF with my 20% rule. I just wasn’t dying to know what would happen – as it was fairly predictable. But at the half way point, I started to really love the heroine – Billy, a total tomboy – and to feel an attachment to the characters in general. I will definitely read more.Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places...
This is not one of those times.
Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.
Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...
Or not.
There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.
But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...
Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...
Berls is sharing Just a Few HRs she read for book club... ages ago. Have you read them? Click To Tweet
About Cathy Maxwell
CATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, “Why do people fall in love?” It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in beautiful Virginia with her children, horses, dogs, and cats.
Barb (boxermommyreads)
Twitter: boxermommyreads
Glad you enjoyed these books. I’m trying to manage tracking everything and making sure my reviews get done, etc, and overall do a good job, but sometimes it does get the best of me. I have been on a historical mystery kick lately and never really realized how much I enjoy them.
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…What a Wonderful Surprise (Daemoniac Blog Tour and Review)
Katherine
Twitter: KEPitts1
I’ve seen Cathy Maxwell’s name floating around for awhile and have been wanting to read her books. This one sounds good as does the Shana Galen who is another author I’ve been meaning to read. And of course Julia Quinn! I still love her books but I haven’t enjoyed all of them the same way I used too. They’re good but they just don’t hook me the same you know?
Katherine recently posted…Snowfall on Haven Point – Contemporary Romance Review
Literary Feline (Wendy)
I haven’t read any of these, but they do sound good. It’s been awhile since I read a historical romance. They tend to be hit and miss with me.
Literary Feline (Wendy) recently posted…Where Is your Bookmark: A Dark and Stormy Murder (TBR List Winner)
Bookworm Brandee
I’m happy you had a good time overall with each of these books, Berls, but I’ll be sure to read Shana Galen. I think I have Earls Just Want to Have Fun because I thought the title was so cute (and it always gets a certain song in my head, this morning is no different) and I think I have a few others from her as well. But I’ve not read her. *hangs head* I’ll have to dig her out from under the pile(s). 😉
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday! (Berk & Jax are off Friday & Sky arrives Saturday morning yay!) I hope your week is going so well that you’re shocked it’s Wednesday as well. 😀 Have a wonderful day! {{{hugs}}}
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ A Tour of Souls ~ Diana Modica