That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston - 330 pages

In a near-future where the British Empire never fell, the heir to the throne princess Victoria-Margaret is having one last summer before taking up her duties.  She is spending the summer in Canada as Margaret meeting new friends and being a regular person.  There she meets August and Henrietta who have known almost their whole lives that they were going to marry.  But in this world, people are genetically matched by computer to make sure they are good matches.  When Henrietta and Margaret check their genetic matches online, they discover something strange, unsettling, and wonderful . . .


It took me a while to get into this book.  The premise was interesting and the characters likable.  However, the writing just did not draw me into the story until nearly halfway through the book.  Still, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical or LGBT romances.

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare - 374 pages

Clio Whitmore has waited eight years for her fiance, Piers Brandon, to return to England and set a wedding date.  But now Clio has inherited a castle and has determined she will wait no longer.  She'll get Piers' brother Rafe to sign the engagement dissolution papers so she can end the engagement and get on with her life.  The only problem is that Rafe is determined that she will marry his brother . . . even if he has to plan the wedding himself.

This was a fun historical romance to read.  I like books that include humor and this author seems to add a lot of humor to her story lines.  It was obvious from the beginning what the outcome of the story would be.  The fun was in reading how exactly it would come to be. 

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare - 376 pages

All Charlotte Highwood wanted was to convince her mother and her best friend's parents that they should be allowed to go on Tour together to Italy.  That's before she is trapped into a marriage proposal by two lovers that everyone assumes is Charlotte and Lord Granville.  Now Charlotte must solve the mystery of the lovers to save herself and Lord Granville from a loveless marriage.

I found this historical romance to be fun and entertaining.  It was interesting to see the twists in the various mysteries in the book.  I look forward to reading more of the author's books.

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas - 410 pages

Rhys Winterborne is shocked when Lady Helen Ravenel comes to him wanting to resume their engagement.  Her family is against the marriage so they determine the only way to get what they want is for her to become compromised . . . .

This is actually the second book in the Ravenel series.  I'm going to have to go back to read the first book.  I enjoyed the story and the characters.  It was a fun, quick read.

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn - 370 pages

Amelia has been engaged to the Duke of Wyndham since a baby.  She's been waiting for years for Thomas, the duke, to finally marry her.  Now, just when she thinks they might be making some progress, his long lost cousin has appeared.  He might be the real Duke of Wyndham and the man she's really engaged to . . .

This is the companion novel to The Lost Duke of Wyndham.  Julia Quinn often overlaps her books in time and plots, however, these are the first two books that intentionally tell the same story from the points of view of the two different couples.  I found that I liked this volume better than the first one I read.  However, I also believe that if I hadn't read the other book first, I might have been pretty lost and have a lot of questions.

I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick

I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick - 341 pages

Lady's companion Emma Greyson is trying to avoid a former lecherous employer when she meets Lord Edison Stokes.  He is trying to find the person responsible for stealing a valuable book.  He proposes they work together to find the missing book.

This is the first in a trio of linked books by Amanda Quick involving the secret society of Vanzagara.

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick - 342 pages

Amity Doncaster saves Benedict Stanbridge's life when he is shot.  Unfortunately, this causes the mad serial killer The Bridgegroom to become obsessed with Amity.  She is the only one of his victims to escape.  Amity and Benedict team up to try to discover who The Bridgegroom is before he can go after Amity again.

This was a fun, quick read.  I enjoyed it quite a bit.  The only small issue I had was that it seemed the author had taken a couple of small plot points from other books and used them again in this book with very few changes.  The one that kept coming to mind was the plot device of a necklace given upon engagement by Benedict's family.

The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James

The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James - 388 pages

Olivia Lytton has been betrothed to Lord Rupert since she was five.  Usually this would be a cause for celebration as she would be marrying into the aristocracy.  However, Rupert was nearly killed at birth and has never been the same.  It does however give Olivia's sister the chance to compete the hand of Quin, the Duke of Sconce.  The problem is that Quin and Olivia seem to be falling in love themselves.
This is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea.  It was very humorous and fun to read.  It was interesting to see the similarities and the differences between the original fairy tale and this historical romance.

The Lady Most Likely . . . by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James & Connie Brockway

The Lady Most Likely . . . by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James & Connie Brockway - 372 pages

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, has enlisted his sister's help in finding a wife.  She has a created a list of possible ladies and invited them to a house party with the hopes that he will be able to convince one of them to marry him.  However problems start right away.  His first choice starts to fall in love with his best friend.  His second choice has a chaperone that won't let anyone near her.  The only one left is a widow who is determined never to marry again.
This book is in three parts with each part written by a different author.  I found it unusual in that the book actually indicates which author wrote which part.  I liked that as I was then able to determine whether I wanted to try to read another of the author's books.  Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Sorcery & Cecelia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Sorcery & Cecelia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer - 320 pages

Cecelia and Kate, cousins and best friends, have been separated for the summer when Kate goes to London to come out in Society.  Both think the summer will be exceedingly dull without the other there.  However, that's before Kate is nearly killed by an evil wizard trying to capture another wizard and before Cecelia meets the lovely Dorothea who is being used as a pawn by her mother to ensnare all the men around her.  Working together while separated is difficult, but the will find a way to save themselves and their new friends.
I really enjoyed this story.  I wasn't sure I would since it is written entirely in letters between the two girls.  However, it was an interesting way to see the story play out.  It would appeal to teens who enjoy fantasy, adventure, mystery, or romance.