Carole´s Monday: Mr Cavendish, I presume

Author: Julia Quinn

Title: Mr. Cavendish, I Presume

Series: Two Dukes of Wyndham #2

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 383

Published: September 30, 2008

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

There went the bride...

Amelia Willoughby has been engaged to the Duke of Wyndham for as long as she can remember. Literally. A mere six months old when the contracts were signed, she has spent the rest of her life waiting. And waiting. And waiting... for Thomas Cavendish, the oh-so-lofty duke, to finally get around to marrying her. But as she watches him from afar, she has a sneaking suspicion that he never thinks about her at all...

It's true. He doesn't. Thomas rather likes having a fiancée—all the better to keep the husband-hunters at bay—and he does intend to marry her... eventually. But just when he begins to realize that his bride might be something more than convenient, Thomas's world is rocked by the arrival of his long-lost cousin, who may or may not be the true Duke of Wyndham. And if Thomas is not the duke, then he's not engaged to Amelia. Which is the cruelest joke of all, because this arrogant and illustrious duke has made the mistake of falling in love... with his own fiancée!

Review:

I waited a while before reading this one after book 1. This one overlaps a lot and is told in Amelia's  and Thomas' POV (they were sides in book 1). 

Amelia and Thomas have been engaged since they were pretty much babes. Amelia has been waiting all her life to marry him. Even when they reached the appropriate age for marriage she was told to wait....and wait. Does he intend to marry her? He does....eventually. When he starts to realize that Amelia is more than just a convenient step in life, his long-lost cousin arrives. His long-lost cousin could take his role as Duke away. If Thomas is NOT the duke....then he is not actually engaged to the Amelia. 

I hate Thomas. I really do. He's boring and annoying and dumb. He only truly realized he "loved" Amelia because another man might be the actual duke and want to marry her instead. GAH. Amelia is an angel and deserves far better than Thomas. 

Now here you would expect me to say that I warmed up to Thomas? Right? NOPE. Big fat NOOOO for me. I still hold true that Amelia deserves better. 

I did enjoy the switch of POV but bleh. Thomas sucks. 

All-in-all, it was entertaining but Amelia deserved a better person. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Okay

Reading Challenges: 

- Library Love #32

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma

By: Nisha Sharma

Narrated by: Vikas Adam, Soneela Nankani

Series: If Shakespeare Were an Auntie, Book 3

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Release date: 08-27-24

Contemporary romance/from bookbeat.fi

Veera and Deepak used to be friends. Then their companies merged, her dad fired her, Deepak became CEO and well a whole mess. So now she has been travelling with her sister. Her dad is toxic and Deepak is to marry someone just to secure the company. Oh and she likes him.

But then things goes south and oops suddenly Veera and Deepak are married. Obvi they fall madly in love too.

Veera was nice and trying to find out what she wanted to do with her life. Deepak was a sweetie and he truly needed her in his life. Her sister was rather judgmental, and her dad evil. Deepak had a nice family though.

I have read the other two books and this one was just as fun.

And the audiobook has Vikas Adam narrating and I do love him. Soneela Nankaani is always great too so this was a nice mix

Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.

Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.

After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.

As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they will love ruin everything?

Carole´s Review: Apprentice to the Villain

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Apprentice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #2

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 368

Published: August 8, 2024

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. ―Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat…er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs―Kingsley’s included―point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies...including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so…so…delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

Review:

When I finished book 1 I HAD to get book 2 read. I was on the waitlist and I was 7th in line. To my surprise it came WAY quicker than I thought. Weeeeee!

We continue where we left off. Things happen and Evie and the Villain are back at it. Evie has never been happier in her life as being an assistant to the Villain. She also can't get him out of her head. Romance will have to wait since Rennedawn and all of magic is in grave trouble. Evie, her boss, and her co-workers will have to step out of their comfort zones and be the heroes. 

The end of the last book had me so upset! Such a cliffie! Luckily I got this and I'm a happy bean. The ending for this one was slightly cliff-hanger-ish....but not as bad so I'm amused. I still want to get my hands on book 3 asap but I can wait a bit. 

The romance is sooooo slow but it works for them. They have issues and there is a LOT going on. All of magic and Rennedawn need help. 

Lots of twists and turns here. I didn't want to stop reading but life gets busy so it took longer than I wanted to finish this. 

I enjoyed this much more than book 1. Surprising I know!!! Book 2s are so 50/50. Sophomore curse and all. 

There were a couple of cringey moments but it a slight YA so it comes with the category. 

But yes. I'm enjoying this series and I recommend it if you like fantasy, comedy, and a splash of romance. 4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Better

Reading Challenges: 

- Library Love #31

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!

Nope, no one famous at all. Not even someone semi famous. Not even someone Finnish famous

11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)

12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?

12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024? 

12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?

12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)

12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Gods of Jade and Shadow

Format: 338 pages, Hardcover

Published: July 23, 2019 by Del Rey

Historical fantasy/own

I am having conflicting feelings. I always enjoyed the book while reading, but the minute I put it down I forgot about it, I started something else. So it took me 2 months to finish. And I do not know why.

The story was interesting, Cassiopeia lives with her crappy family and then she goes on an adventure with a Mayan god of death who is a prisoner. Maybe that was the problem. Things works out so well. No true blood sweat and tears. I feel his evil brother could have worked a little harder. The book was soft. Which is not a bad thing, but then Casiopeia and the God starts having feelings too. And I like nice books, I do not needs violence and blood...but, being Mayan Gods and all. Maybe a bit more

It was good. Do not get me wrong. But I struggled too. Nothing bad happens

The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.

Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.

In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.

This fallen prey by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Rockton/Casey Duncan (#3)

Format: 359 pages, Hardcover

Published: February 6, 2018 by Minotaur Book

Crime mystery thriller /own

Omg, like can this town get any worse? YES it can. 

The stupid council that loves money sends a serial killer to Rockton. His family has enough money to pay. And all they say is try to keep him contained. This place is not working.

And again, outside the town is wilderness with dangerous animals, dangerous hostiles, and settlers that can be pretty crazy too. Remind me never to go to Canada.

But what a thrill. Is the guy actually guilty? And then he escapes and all hell breaks loose. And I kept guessing. Did he do it. I am sure he did. Then I was maybe not. Then I was hell yes. Shoot him. And then...well she sure kept me guessing. No one is so be trusted here.

And that end. Brutal.

I need more. I have more :D

Casey Duncan is about to face her toughest job as police detective in Rockton yet. When Casey first arrived at the off-the-grid town, an isolated community built as a haven for people running from their pasts, she had no idea what to expect, with no cell phones, no internet, no mail, and no way of getting in or out without the town councils approval. She certainly didn't expect to be the homicide detective on two separate cases or to begin a romantic relationship with her boss. But the very last thing she expected was for the council to drop a dangerous criminal into their midst without a plan to keep him imprisoned and to keep others safe. Of course, Oliver Brady claims he's being set up. But the longer Brady stays in town, the more things start to go wrong. When evidence comes to light that someone inside Rockton might be working as his accomplice, helping him to escape, Casey races to figure out who exactly Brady is and what crimes he's truly responsible for committing. In the next page-turning entry in Kelley Armstrong's gripping series, life in Rockton is about to get even more dangerous.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

11/12/2024 Which types of reviews help you decide what books to read?

Not 5 stars one if I am honest. I saw these posts on threads where people talked about how 4 star reviews are bad and negative and I was all wtf?! Sure I read 5 star ones, but I do not buy books from them. Some people are real, but then there are those fake 5s.

4s are great. They tell it. 2s are also great. Oh you did not like that? Well good for me, I love that. I really need the full spectrum. I could never get a book if it only had glowing reviews. I need the bad too. I need everything.

11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!

11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)

12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?

12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024? 

12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?

12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)

12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday: Daisy Jones and the Six

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Daisy Jones and the Six

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 369

Published: March 5, 2019

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous break up.

Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six, but nobody knows the real reason why they split at the absolute height of their popularity...until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go-Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it's the rock and roll she loves most. By the time she's twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Another band getting noticed is The Six, led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she's pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

Review:

I've eyeballed this one and funnily enough this was picked for Book Club soooooooooo sure why not. 

Told in the format of an interview we get to the heart of the raise and fall of Daisy Jones & The Six. We'll get the behind-the-scenes that everyone has wanted. 

First thing first.....the format was wildly different. You know those documentaries where they interview people to tell the story? The author attempts this here. We get multiple people telling us the story of the band. It was interesting and refreshing. It was done alright. I do wish we had more descriptives of HOW the people were talking and feeling and looking. You could assume. There were some instances of the author putting a few descriptives like "[pauses]", but there should have been more instances and more descriptives. I'm sure if I had done the audiobook, the narrator would've taken liberties and it might've helped. But yes, more would've been a great benefit, because the reader is left to pretty much assume.

The beginning had me curious...and then it lost me for a few, but after a certain scene it had me in it's grasps again. I could only read small chunks at a time, but I was hooked. I had to know what the final straw to break the camel's back was. There was SOOOO much drama in this band. It was bound to erupt, but it was just waiting for that last straw to fall. 

I hated everyone BUT I was enraptured with them all. They are all selfish, emotional, and immature. But you gotta remember....they are young and they are "stars". LOTS of ego in the room. 

The ending felt...rushed in a way. And I don't agree with a certain email. Gah. I'm just going to say it.......no I'm not.....I am. EEE. Okay [SPOILER ALERT] Billy's wife passes and pretty much gives the AOK for Billy and Daisy to reconnect and make another "song". Which YOU KNOW was her giving them permission to finally be together. Gag. They are so toxic for each other. Billy being Billy, though, he'll do it. :S Plus it felt so reductive of the characters. You can love someone but it doesn't mean that you should be together. SIGHS. Plus....I feel like Camila would've NEVER wanted that. IDK. It just didn't vibe with the whole story [SPOILER END]

Other then that ending and how I wanted more from the format.....I did like this. It was different and entertaining. Toxic characters doing toxic things in the 60s and 70s. What more can you ask for?

All-in-all, I did find myself liking this. I had some issues especially the ending little curveball. Bleh. Other than that I liked it. I can't wait to discuss this one. I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about. Rating???? Mmmmm. This has been a struggle for sure. 3....yes....3 stars seems fine. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Conflicting

The bastard king by Donna Grant

By: Donna Grant

Narrated by: Antony Ferguson

Series: The Bastard Duology, Book 1

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Release date: 10-15-24 by Tantor Audio

Paranormal romance/to review

It took me way too long to realise that this is part of a series. I thought it was a new book, but it is a new series, within a series. Ooops. So yes sadly I felt throughout that I did not understand this world at all. Like why was he saying he had a Scottish accent when they were in a fantasy world?? Oh, cos there are a lot of dragon books that came before. This is an old fight.

So in this fantasy world we meet Kora who wants to kill someone called Villette because she has slaughtered all of Kora´s kin. Kora then meets Derek, together they travel to the city and has their fair of issues. Oh and he does not tell her that he is a dragon and serves Vilette. Ohhh drama!!

The underlines in the story I missed. Like why are things as they are. But then some other books seems to be set in Scotland so I have actually no idea about other Sora books if there are any. I could still follow along, it was first when there was more dragon talk that I felt I was missing something. I can not say more as Derek thinks all other dragons are prisoners.

There is passion, lots of danger and even more intrigues. Who can be trusted?

I like the narrator as I have listened to lots of historical romance books by him. Aye, all set in Scotland too

I am fire and death. My very presence brings terror and panic. For most, I am the last thing they will ever see. For there is only one thing I live for — freeing my kin.nEvery action, every battle brings me a step closer. Nothing distracts me from my purpose.nUntil she crosses my path.

Brave and fearless, she holds me utterly enthralled. I have to know her. Her past and her future. But especially the secrets she keeps closely guarded.

One taste of her lips, and I’m caught. Trapped. Seized. The more I’m with her, the harder it is to leave. But I have sworn allegiance to another who promises to free the dragons.

Her or my kin. It was once an easy choice.

Before my heart got involved.

Audio: Mail order minotaur by Lilith Stone

By: Lilith Stone

Narrated by: Rachel Leblang

Series: Motham City Monsters, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Release date: 10-22-24 by Tantor Audio

Paranormal romance/to review

This turned out to be a fun and sweet, but smexy too. Ivy works as a tour guide in the monster city of Motham when she sees a hunky minotaur. Boom, she is smitten

Bryn owns an escort service and he used to sell his services too. But yeah it is boom for him too when he sees an innocent tour guide in trouble.

She is human from a posh town. He is a minotaur from a poor town. Their beginning is him helping her branch out in town. But they soon realise that that thing between them can¨t be stopped.

And as the book promised low angst it really was. Yes there is some drama, but it works out so well. And they will live happily ever after.

Sweet, smexy, and lots of monsters around

Good narration. I am not sure I have listened to this narrator before and she did a great job and she kept me entertained

A shy human. A minotaur sex worker. A powerful chemistry neither can deny.

Tour guide Ivy has always secretly fantasized about minotaurs. So when a Beast Hunters tour to Motham City goes horribly wrong, she’s thrilled to be rescued by wickedly handsome minotaur, Bryn. Until she finds out that he runs a male escort agency with the sole purpose of pleasuring humans.

And Ivy just isn’t that sort of girl…

Bryn isn’t looking for love. He sells it. Besides he’s too busy caring for his disabled mom and four brothers and sisters to have time for romance. But when a sweet and innocent human literally catapults into his life, Bryn might just have to change his mind about love…

Mail Order Minotaur is the first in The Motham City Monsters series. It’s a low angst sweet monster romance with plenty of spice and a guaranteed HEA, set in Motham City, a place where humans and monsters meet… and fall in love. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

11/5/2024 What are five things that make you happy?

Well it used to be chocolate, but then I had a bloody kidney stone and chocolate is evil so no longer does it make me happy. Small amounts, blergh. 

Right, happy things:

The woods. Alone. Just being

Books

Weekends

A perfect summerday

Something really good to eat, that just wows you

And that was my random list for today

11/12/2024 Which types of reviews help you decide what books to read?

11/19/2024 Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us!

11/26/2024 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)

12/3/2024 What is your favorite breakfast food?

12/10/2024 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2024? 

12/17/2024 Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?

12/24/2024 Taking a break (no question)

12/31/2024 How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the new year?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Best of October

 

Here are our bests from October!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - The tainted cup by Robert Jackson Bennet

"Amazing!

Carole -  Never Been Witched by Molly Harper

"So much fun!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) 

"This has to be the best. Had a rip-roaring time."

Blodeuedd - Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

"Best movie. Watched this one with the kid"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Love is Blind (S7) , Our Flag Means Death , & The Rookie (S6)

"I watched LiB s 7. And well love is not blind. And omg Our flag means death is great! Now I can´t give up Hbo before I have finished it all. Only done one season so far. And season 6 of The Rookie!"

Carole - Tacoma FD (S4)

"Watched the whole thing PLUS the new season. I am so sad to see that this is over esp with that ending. WAH."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's pick:
Love the colors and that dress! *chef kiss*

Blodeuedd's pick:
Very xmassy and pretty

Special Mention:

Carole's: Lake Silence by Anne Bishop 

"I would be remiss if I didn't give a special nod to this gem. Not only is this a great book and continuation of the series (a slight spin-off), but that cover? I love it so much. It would win both categories but it is a re-read and I felt weird giving it both categories SOOOO a special mention pin it shall get."

A darkness absolute by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Rockton/Casey Duncan (#2)

Format: 445 pages, Paperback

Published: March 1, 2017 by Sphere

Crime/library

Book 2 was impossible to get. It was out of stock, and ebook, eh, no I did not want that. So I checked and only 2 libraries in the entire country had this book. And an interlibrary loan was actually really cheap. So I got it! Phew. Oh and I have already ordered books 3 to 6 from a bookstore ;)

So this place is still rather hellish. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea. Sure on paper a place where you can go if you are in danger is good. But that is the thing, people with money can also get it. People who have done terrible terrible things. And now innocent people and killers live in the same town. And outside is bad too. In the woods there are settlers (who can be bad), and hostiles (who are effed up and will kill you.)

Casey and the town sheriff found each other in book 1. At least she has some peace there. In this book they find a woman who has been held in a cave for a year. (because yes this place is bad.)

Who is the man? Someone from town? Outside town? Feelings run hot and I had no idea who did it because everyone is bad.

A thrilling book that makes you never want to visit this place.

When experienced homicide detective Casey Duncan first moved to the secret town of Rockton, she expected a safe haven for people like her, people running from their past misdeeds and past lives. She knew living in Rockton meant living off-the-grid completely: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council’s approval. What she didn’t expect is that Rockton comes with its own set of secrets and dangers.

Now, in A Darkness Absolute, Casey and her fellow Rockton sheriff’s deputy Will chase a cabin-fevered resident into the woods, where they are stranded in a blizzard. Taking shelter in a cave, they discover a former resident who’s been held captive for over a year. When the bodies of two other women turn up, Casey and her colleagues must find out if it’s an outsider behind the killings or if the answer is more complicated than that...before another victim goes missing.

Audio. The Duke´s Christmas Bride by Anna Bradley

By: Anna Bradley

Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker

Series: Drop Dead Dukes, Book 3

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Release date: 09-24-24

Historical romance/to review

It starts with a bang. A mansion that is falling apart, and Rose waking up and then realising someone is in the house. Bang. Damn it was a Duke!

Max hated her dad because he thinks he got the mansion by trickery. Rose and a servant are the only ones left in this crappy house that both she and Max now owns.

He wants the house. She wants to live in her house that is falling apart. They grow closer, but he is a wicked Duke and he has plans to get rid of her and get the house. Though no murder in involved.

Then there is a houseparty too, and xmas around the corner. The perfect time to fall in love. And to have a little drama at the end before a HEA.

Good narration. She has a good voice for this story. I always enjoy her narrations

Alarmed by the sound of an intruder, Rose St. Claire fetches her pistol. She’s shocked to discover that the trespasser is a handsome gentleman—one who states that the house, which Rose recently inherited from her late benefactor, was stolen from his father decades ago. He claims it is now his. And it is—but not entirely. As it turns out, Hammond Court has been left to them both—and neither can evict the other without forfeiting their right to the property . . .

Wealthy and ruthless, Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, has spent years regaining the many properties his father lost to bad wagers. Only Hammond Court remains. But Rose has no intention of leaving. In fact, as Christmas draws near, circumstances force Max to plan a holiday party, and Rose is all too happy to help. Max despises such merriment—until he sees it as an opportunity . . .

Max will forgive the debt of another young duke’s family if the attractive gentleman woos Rose at the party, ultimately marries her—and returns her share of the estate to Max. It’s foolproof. Except that Rose’s spirited joy is seductive, recalling within Max long ago feelings of happiness—and awakening a deep attraction. Has Max cooked his own Christmas goose—or is there a chance love will prevail? . . .