Earl Crush

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti | 352 pages | 2025

For three years, wallflower heiress Lydia Hope-Wallace has anonymously penned seditious pamphlets. And for almost as long, she’s corresponded with the Earl of Strathrannoch, whose political ambition is matched only by his charm. When Arthur’s latest letter reveals his dire financial straits, Lydia sets out for Scotland to offer him the only salvation she can think of—a marriage of convenience. Unfortunately, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no idea who she is.
When a bewitching redheaded stranger offers him her hand in marriage, Arthur Baird is stunned—but when he learns that his traitorous brother has been writing to her under Arthur’s name, he’s bloody furious. He’s content to live alone in his moldering castle, and he has no desire for a provocative, radical wife. (Or at least, he shouldn’t.)
But Arthur is desperate to track down his brother, who’s become dangerously entangled in British espionage, and he needs Lydia’s help. What he doesn’t need? The attraction that burns hotter each moment they spend together. As Lydia slips past his defenses and his brother’s mysterious past becomes a very present threat, Arthur will have to risk everything to keep her safe—even his heart.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

This lovely regency romance was a true delight to read. The characters are wonderful, I loved getting both Lydia and Arthur's perspective, and the author hit the perfect balance of deeply stirring and heartfelt scenes that didn't feel forced or cheesy. She really built up this love story well, and I was very invested. There's a little bit of intrigue and suspense to keep you turning the pages, mixed in with some very spicy interactions between our main characters. The growth over the course of the book for both characters was great to see. Overall this is a very charming romance that I heartily recommend!

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn -- 377 pages

Ten Things You Should Know About This Book

1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to
10. Happily. Ever. After.

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn -- 372 pages

RUMORS AND GOSSIP... THE LIFEBLOOD OF LONDON!

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancee, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself...

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn -- 373 pages

2 March 1810... Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers...

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn -- 378 pages

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can't be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family's infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She's the type of girl you don't notice until the second—or third—look, but there's something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she's the one.

Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can't quite believe it's all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can't help thinking that he's hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes.

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn -- 373 pages

He thinks she's an annoying know-it-all...

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

She thinks he's just plain mad...

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn -- 373 pages

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is...

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger...

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending...

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn -- 374 pages

Honoria Smythe-Smith is:
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) not in love with her older brother's best friend
D) all of the above

Marcus Holroyd is:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) all of the above

Together they:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love

It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . .
D) all of the above

The Belle of Belgrave Square

 

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews | 432 pages | 2022

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood. 

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt. In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. 

He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

 Half a Soul

Olivia Atwater

297 pages

 

I enjoyed this story very much. It has a nice ending with no loose ends. It is one of the few historical and fairy tale stories I've read where the woman not only saves herself and others, but doesn't compromise her sense of self.

 

 

It's difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you're a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season - but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora's reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. . . but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens, 432 pages
(The Cynster Family Series - Sister Cynsters)
*includes sneak preview of "Where the Heart Leads" by Stephanie Laurens

 Headstrong, domineering and completely independent Mary Alice Cynster is the last of her sisters to be eligible for marriage. Since the fact that she is the remaining unmarried Cynster -- a very old and well off family -- it stands to reason that she will have her pick of men and can be choosy. She has determined she will not marry anyone unless she is sure she can be the "boss of the home." With a special necklace passed down from generation to generation that is suppose to determine who you will marry, Mary is sure she will make the right choice. She did not, however, take into account Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne ruining her plans. His looks and his demeanor have earned him the title of the Lion of the ton. He has Mary Cynster in his sights and he isn't about to let someone else claim her as their bride. He is definitely the perfect match for Mary Cynster, and it will take Fate's hand to prove it. Not everyone agrees with Fate, though, and mysterious happenings begin to occur that put both Mary and Ryder's lives in danger. Will they discover the person(s) behind the attacks in time? Read the book to find out!

"A Matter of Magic" by Patricia Wrede

"A Matter of Magic" by Patricia Wrede, 448 pages

 Young Kim has been living on the streets for all her life as a boy. When she is offered a large sum of money to spy on a magician, she jumps at the chance to avoid the unsavory life of being a lone female on the streets. When it's discovered that the street magician is actually a real wizard seeking to redeem his name and find the real thief of certain treasures, the fun begins. "A Matter of Magic" is actually two stories in one. It follows the life of Kim as she meets and later becomes the apprentice/ward of Richard Merrill. The first story finds Kim on the quest to help Richard discover who betrayed and framed him for the theft of several magical pieces. The second story leads Kim on a quest to discover who is stealing the magic of wizards and what the importance of a set of books are. Both stories read like a Scooby Doo mystery, but are quite enjoyable. My favorite character is Hunch. You'll have to read the book to find out why.