Tag Archive for: Romance

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The Duke and I

The Duke and ITitle: The Duke and I
Author(s): Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #1
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 438
Length: 12h 9m
Narrator(s): Rosalyn Landor
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 3 Flames

My Thoughts

THE DUKE AND I was steamy historical romance set in Regency era England that was a thought-provoking story that deals with hard subjects like child abandonment, child abuse, betrayal, forgiveness, and healing from trauma. Though some of the scenes are hard to read, I thought the story was profound and heart-felt.

There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Daphne and her courage to help Simon, the Duke of Hastings, overcome his past trauma, showing him that love is more powerful and healing than anger and resentment. I loved the instant connection and attraction between Daphne and Simon. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them. I loved the themes of family, forgiveness, redemption, and love conquering all.

The edition I read had a second epilogue written after Quinn received many requests to know how the characters were doing. It’s set 21 years after the events in the main story. Even though I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the life Daphne and Simon had together, I thought it was a bit much due to its length.

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Bringing Down the Duke

Bringing Down the DukeTitle: Bringing Down the Duke
Author(s): Evie Dunmore
Series: A League of Extraordinary Women #1
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 356
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Jasicki
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 3.5 Flames

My Thoughts

BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE was a fun, steamy historical fiction romance. There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Annabelle and her willingness to speak her mind even though it was looked down on at that time. I loved the instant connection and attraction between her and Sebastian, the Duke of Montgomery. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

I really loved the setting of Victorian era England, just at the beginning of the suffragette movement and the admission of women to Oxford. I thought it gave the romance and characters, especially Annabelle and Sebastian, some depth. Not only did I love the theme of women’s rights and equality, I also loved the themes of friendship, finding one’s own way, and duty to one’s country vs. being on the right side of history.

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The No-Show

The No-ShowTitle: The No-Show
Author(s): Beth O'Leary
Genre(s): Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 394
Length: 10h 48m
Narrator(s): Evanna Lynch, Heather Long, Kathryn Drysdale, Luke Thompson
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 2.5 Flames

My Thoughts

THE NO-SHOW is a story about love, forgiveness, redemption, grief, second chances, and healing. I absolutely adored it. I knew there had to be more to the story than just these three women being stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day. While I read, I had to look past the obvious and hold to my wonderment of how Joseph was juggling the relationships. There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments and sexual tension, but THE NO-SHOW is so much more than just a romance. I really loved how O’Leary wrote about mental health and healing from abusive relationships (professional and romantic). It felt real and it felt raw. I loved these characters and I wanted the best for them as I read about each of their lives.

Dating Dr. Dil

Dating Dr. DilTitle: Dating Dr. Dil
Author(s): Nisha Sharma
Series: If Shakespeare Were an Aunty #1
Genre(s): Romance
Format(s): Hard Cover
Pages: 358
Source: Owned
Reason(s): Book of the Month
Rating:
Spice: 4 Flames

My Thoughts

DATING DR. DIL is a hot steamy enemies-to-lovers romance and a retelling of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare. I loved the double POV and being in both Kareena’s and Prem’s heads. They had so much chemistry together with awesome bantering and amazing sexual tension. (The only thing I disliked was the descriptions of Perm’s manhood. Calling his penis Charlie is one thing, but acting like “Charlie” was a sentient being was just too much for me. I rolled my eyes every time he thought that way.)

I really enjoyed being a part of Kareena’s and Prem’s culture. I honestly didn’t know much about the American desi culture. I loved all the descriptions of the clothing, parties, and food. Oh the food! I’m now craving Indian from my favorite local restaurant. The strong familial influence, sometimes to the detriment of the characters mental health, and the pressure for Indian women to be married and having kids before 30 really resonated with me.

This Spells Love

This Spells LoveTitle: This Spells Love
Author(s): Kate Robb
Genre(s): Romance
Format(s): Hard Cover
Pages: 342
Source: Owned
Reason(s): Book of the Month
Rating:
Spice: 3.5 Flames

My Thoughts

THIS SPELLS LOVE is a friends-to-lovers steamy fast-paced romance. I absolutely adored everything about it and couldn’t put it down. I loved Gemma, her sister, kooky aunt, and her best friend Dax. The sexual tension between Gemma and Dax is amazing! I loved the setting of Hamilton, Canada, just outside Toronto. I also loved the lit bit of paranormal, in the form of a love-cleansing spell. It was fun to see it flip Gemma’s world on its head, causing her to figure out what was truly important to her.