An Unfamiliar Duke
Georgian Gentlemen
#4
By Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications (May 16, 2022)
Paperback: 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1524419915
ISBN-13: 978-1524419912
Publisher’s
Blurb:
At eleven
years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the
future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten
years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening
time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the
marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.
As
Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches,
Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind
since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason
for honoring their marriage contract―a reason outlined in a document kept
behind his workshop’s locked door.
After
a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their
acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive
work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in
jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has
pledged to help and the woman he has come to love.
My Thoughts:
This was a
thoroughly enjoyable read!
Rosalind, our
protagonist, has never gotten over Sebastian’s rudeness to her in childhood,
when she was the tagalong little sister of his friend. An only child, he was awkward
and didn’t really know how to communicate with her. But she’s never forgiven
him for banning her from his treehouse. She’s definitely not a fan of the whole
arranged marriage thing, although it is a relief not to have to take any of her
suitors at balls too seriously. She loves math, and hates having to hide her
interest. Still, it hurts that Sebastian has made no contact until shortly
before her 21st birthday and their impending marriage.
Sebastian, while a
nobleman, is also somewhat of an engineer. He has worked with some of the great
inventors of his day, and wants to make life better for the tenants on his
land. He is not particularly social, but wants to honor the arrangement their
fathers made. It doesn’t hurt a bit that Rosalind is attractive and
intelligent.
Of course, there
are hurt feelings as they learn to communicate with each other. He won’t let
Rosalind in his workshop, and she finds that insulting. But he isn’t put off by
her love of numbers—in fact, he offers to teach her.
Of course, there’s
a disappointed man who wanted to get his hands on Rosalind’s money. And of
course, he ends up making trouble for Sebastian.
This was a very
quick read, and I found the character development overall to be quite good. Our
villain was a bit of a cardboard cutout, but he served his purpose well. It
wasn’t too hard to predict what Rosalind’s role would be in Sebastian solving an
engineering problem. Even though I saw it coming, the actual event came about naturally.
Possible Objectionable
Material:
Some people get
injured when a clearing a tree from a cottage roof. A little bit of peril. Some
kissing.
Who Might Like This
Book:
Fans of regency
romance, especially when aspects of real history are included. As with other
romances from this author and publisher, it is squeaky clean.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
Once Upon a K-Prom
By Kat Cho
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (May 17, 2022)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1368064647
ISBN-13: 978-1368064644
Reading age: 12 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 - 12
Publisher’s Blurb:
Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more
successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing
best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what
they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to
prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena
would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one
place that's always made her feel like she belonged.
So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask
her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who
always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And
the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise
they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years
ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is
nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her
secrets with. The boy she used to love.
Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online
haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she
can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?
My Thoughts:
What would you do if one of your childhood best friends moved
away and then became super famous? You sure wouldn’t expect them to come back
to town and take you to prom, right?
That’s the situation Elena is in. The youngest (along with
her minutes-older twin brother and only son of the family) of a large
Korean-American family, she is used to being the one no one pays attention to.
But she is passionate about saving the local community center. She tries to
convince her fellow students to save some of the money they’d have spent on
prom and donate it to the community center, but everyone thinks she just hates
prom because no one will ask her to go with them.
Enter Robbie, childhood BFF and singer in one of the hottest
K-pop bands. Seven years ago, he had promised to take her to prom, and he’s
back to fulfill his promise.
Of course, asking her while his manager films the whole thing
doesn’t go over well. Neither does a majorly overproduced promposal later. But
they do manage to rekindle their friendship, and Elena eventually agrees to let
Robbie take her to prom. As friends. Even though she’s seriously crushing on
him.
Of course, there are complications. Lots of them. And Robbie’s
motives aren’t entirely selfless.
We get the fun of watching both of them find their voice and stand
up for themselves.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Teenage drama. Some kissing. Very mild cursing. A little bit
of sneaking around. A same-sex couple.
Who Might Like This Book:
I’m not really into K-pop, but I did just have a journalism
student write articles about four different K-pop bands. It’s quite an
industry! K-Pop fans should definitely enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoys
watching a high school student find their voice and passion (it’s what I do for
a living, after all) would probably like this.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC
in exchange for my honest opinion.
Bloomsbury Girls
By Natalie Jenner
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 17, 2022)
Hardcover: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 1250276691
ISBN-13: 978-1250276698
Publisher’s Blurb:
Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store
that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and
guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the
world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at
Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:
Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance
was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has
a long list of grievances--most of them well justified and the biggest of which
is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.
Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been
working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the
aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.
Evie Stone: In the first class of female students
from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position
in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury
Books while she plans to remake her own future.
As they interact with various literary figures of
the time--Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George
Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others--these three women with
their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot
out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.
My Thoughts:
I’m not really sure why nothing mentions that this is a direct
sequel to The Jane Austen Society, a book I have not yet read but want
to. There are many references to events of that book, but this book is totally
understandable without having read its predecessor.
Set in post-WWII London, this book deals with issues that
many women faced in that time. Having become accustomed to working while the
men were away at war, many women found themselves at loose ends when the men came
home and expected the women to return to domestic duties. Worse still, many men
didn’t come home, leaving women without husbands and fiances. And those women
who did venture into academia or professional life were often constrained by what
was considered “appropriate” for them to do.
This sets the scene for us as we watch the women of
Bloomsbury Books, a hundred-year-old London bookstore. Its owner is an
occasionally hands-on lord. Its manager is exceedingly attached to his 51
rules, but when he has to take a medical leave, the women of the shop get to
stretch their wings a little.
While there is a great deal of social commentary, there’s
also a bit of mystery, as Evie searches for a “lost” volume of one of the first-ever
science fiction books, which predated Frankenstein and was written by a
17-year-old girl.
All three of our women undergo a great deal of growth, with
the help of each other and a cast of historical characters. Watching them learn
to mold their lives into what they want, rather than what society tries to push
onto them, is very satisfying.
It’s difficult to believe this book was nearly 400 pages—I read
it in a day.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Homosexuality. Mild cursing. Unmarried people have sex—offscreen.
Domestic abuse. Racism.
Who Might Like This Book:
If you love literature, this is for you. There are so
many works of literature name-dropped. If you like to see strong women find
their way, try this book. If you like well-researched historical fiction that
includes lots of people who really lived, this will satisfy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC
in exchange for my opinion.
Marquess of Magic
Sisterhood of Secrets #3
By Jennifer Monroe
Publisher: WOLF Publishing (May 9, 2022)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 3985360634
ISBN-13: 978-3985360635
Publisher’s Blurb:
Spellbound by a glamorous man…
Miss Diana Kendricks is the rarest of young
women: She is actually looking forward to becoming a lifelong spinster!
Disillusioned by what she has seen of married
life, she eagerly awaits the day when she is considered securely "on the
shelf." However, Diana fails to take into account the most treacherous
twist—her own traitorous heart, which finds itself skipping a beat when she
meets Lord James Barrington, mysteriously labeled as the Marquess of Magic.
Love is the greatest enchantment of all…
Lord Barrington has always loved magic. Since
childhood, he has found it thrilling to perform illusions and conjurations, to
shock an audience, and leave them breathless. But in ordinary life, no magic
can vanish away the dangerous secret he hides. James should not even be
considering marriage. But when he chances upon Diana, she seems like his
perfect match—beautiful, witty, with similar interests to his own. He cannot
risk losing her to another suitor, and soon James has hopelessly ensnared both
their hearts.
But James's secret will not stay hidden in the
shadows. When it comes to love, the truth may be the greatest magic trick of
all—and James must soon reveal it, lest he lose his one true love forever...
My Thoughts:
This book, while
part of a series, can be read without having read any of its predecessors,
although I will likely go back and find the two books that came before.
Diana is young and
beautiful, and her parents’ unhappy marriage has made her certain that all men
are jerks and she never wants to marry. But she is fascinated by a local
nobleman, dubbed the “Marquess of Magic” and all the rumors about him.
They meet cute,
and he’s impressed by the fact that she outwits him. But he’s got a secret to
protect, and isn’t interested in romance just now.
Best laid plans
and all that.
Of course, he
starts courting her. Of course there is another man interested in her, a man who
we, the readers, know is Not Nice and is Only After Her Money. But Diana doesn’t
know that, and thinks he’s sweet, even though she doesn’t feel anything for him
past friendship.
Lord Barrington’s
secret is a doozy, and of course, it causes problems and misunderstandings,
which our villain is only too happy to capitalize on. Diana’s got a big chip on
her shoulder about her father’s neglect of her, and how he buys her presents to
appease her every time he fails to visit, and this, too, creates obstacles.
I felt like Diana
was able to be in Barrington’s company a lot, with only another teenage girl as
chaperone. I’m not sure that would have been enough for the propriety of the
day. Barrington reveals some secrets far too easily to a couple of schoolgirls.
I did not
understand why his mother gossiped so much about the headmistress of the girls’
school, given the revelation which came later about her.
In all, this was a
quick read, not demanding, with an interesting premise.
Possible Objectionable
Material:
An unwed
pregnancy. Deception. Infidelity. Flirting. Kissing. There might have been some
mild cursing. A little bit of violence.
Who Might Like This
Book:
Those who like
clean regency romance, feisty heroines, and a little bit of drama.
Thank you to
NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
