{Book Review} Four Nights With the Duke by Eloisa James

Four Nights With The Duke
Series: Desperate Duchesses by the Numbers #2
By: Eloisa James
Published by: Gollancz on July 14th 2016
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Library
Rating: 

As a young girl, Emilia Gwendolyn Carrington told the annoying future Duke of Pindar that she would marry any man in the world before him—so years later she is horrified to realize that she has nowhere else to turn.

Evander Septimus Brody has his own reasons for agreeing to Mia's audacious proposal, but there's one thing he won't give his inconvenient wife: himself.

Instead, he offers Mia a devil's bargain...he will spend four nights a year with her. Four nights, and nothing more. And those only when she begs for them.

Which Mia will never do.

Now Vander faces the most crucial challenge of his life: he must seduce his own wife in order to win her heart—and no matter what it takes, this is the one battle he can't afford to lose.

My first historical romance book by Eloisa James and I am certain it won't be the last! I finished this book in less than 12 hours and enjoyed it very much. The bargain was what drew my attention and made me curious.

The story starts with when Mia and Vander were young. Mia was humiliated when her secret poem to Vander was disclosed but instead of cowering behind, she showed her inner strength when she came out from her hiding spot to face the group of boys who mocked her poem. Vander was with the group. Fast forward many years later, Mia was faced with no choice but to seek Vander for marriage to keep her nephew with her.

What I like about the book is the cast of characters, especially Vander's uncle, who injected some fun into the story with his antics. I like the bickering between Mia and Vander too and how both of them slowly come to terms with their feelings for each other. I also love it that Mia is an author in the book! How exciting! The thing that had me frowning was Mia's low self-esteem due to her figure.

This book can be read as a standalone, which was what I did and I'm ready to dive into the rest of the author's books!

{Bookish Review} The Last Chance Matinee by Mariah Stewart

The Last Chance Matinee (The Hudson Sisters #1)
By: Mariah Stewart
Published on: March 21st 2017 by Gallery Books
Genres: Romance
Source: Library
Rating: 

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes the first novel in her all-new series, The Hudson Sisters, following a trio of reluctant sisters as they set out to fulfill their father’s dying wish. In the process, they find not only themselves, but the father they only thought they knew.

When celebrated and respected agent Fritz Hudson passes away, he leaves a trail of Hollywood glory in his wake—and two separate families who never knew the other existed. Allie and Des Hudson are products of Fritz’s first marriage to Honora, a beautiful but troubled starlet whose life ended in a tragic overdose. Meanwhile, Fritz was falling in love on the Delaware Bay with New Age hippie Susa Pratt—they had a daughter together, Cara, and while Fritz loved Susa with everything he had, he never quite managed to tell her or Cara about his West Coast family.

Now Fritz is gone, and the three sisters are brought together under strange circumstances: there’s a large inheritance to be had that could save Allie from her ever-deepening debt following a disastrous divorce, allow Des to open a rescue shelter for abused and wounded animals, and give Cara a fresh start after her husband left her for her best friend—but only if the sisters upend their lives and work together to restore an old, decrepit theater that was Fritz’s obsession growing up in his small hometown in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Guided by Fritz’s closest friend and longtime attorney, Pete Wheeler, the sisters come together—whether they like it or not—to turn their father’s dream into a reality, and might just come away with far more than they bargained for.

Picked up this book after reading Kim's wonderful review over at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. I wasn't disappointed at all! However, I did find the prologue confusing because the author tries to introduce the characters in the book--the 3 sisters and a bit of their lives. There's too much information unloading for me but once I got past that, everything's fine.

What I like about this book is the connection between the characters in the story and how they slowly build up their relationship while being 'forced' to stay in the small town to rebuild the theater that belonged to their family. The plot is cliche but somehow, I still enjoyed reading what happened to the ladies. The part I like best is when Allie's daughter came on board during her school break. It's so refreshing to read about her. Her enthusiasm seemed to jump out from the book.

The Last Chance Matinee is a light read which I really enjoyed but the main problem is not over yet and to be continued in book 2 which will be released in the middle of this month. Gasp! Can't wait to read the second book to find out what happens next!

{Bookish Review} To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons #5)
By: Julia Quinn
Published on: Published August 25th 2009 by Avon
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Library
Rating: 

Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife's distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her...

Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking... and wondering... and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except... he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young - and decidedly unruly - children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.

I can't believe I missed out this book in the series! Julia Quinn is one of the few historical romance authors whom I simply adore and when I saw a review from a book blogger, I went to get a copy immediately.

What I like about the book:

1. Eloise
   The main female character of the story. Witty, courageous, strong-headed and has a way with children. I still cannot believe how she just showed up at Phillip's place without telling her family and without informing Phillip so that he could get a chaperone. She's just risking her reputation.. but then again, she knew her family too well...
2. Phillip
   A man with a tortured past, who watched his own wife tried to drown herself then succumbed to sickness from it. A man who didn't know how to deal with his twin children. I love reading about how he slowly overcame his problems, especially for a strong and odd man like him.
3. The twins--Amanda and Oliver
   The lonely twins who craved attention from their father. They had to resort to tricks and pranks! It was fun reading how the twins and Eloise face-off each other. I guess there's never a dull moment whenever a story involves kids.
4. The second epilogue
   I'm not too sure about the physical book but the e-book copy which I borrowed comes with a second epilogue! I'm thrilled to read the second epilogue after reading the first one. I think it's kind of sweet.

What I dislike about the book:
Nothing much, except that Eloise's decision to just keep her family in the dark while she visit Phillip is reckless and selfish. Didn't she think what would happen to her when her family found out?

Time to catch up with the other books in the series! 

{Bookish Review} The V Card by Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente

The V Card
By: Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente
Published by: Gollancz on July 14th 2016
Genres: Romance
Source: Bought
Rating: 

When you think about how easy it is to lose keys, phones, sunglasses and your dignity on social media, you might figure it'd be a cinch for me to ditch my V Card.

You'd be wrong.

At 25, I run a successful business, live in a fantastic apartment, and have fabulous friends to go out with any night of the week. And yet I'm still a card-carrying member of a club I don't want to belong to anymore. Good thing I know just the man for the deflowering job—my brother’s business partner and best friend.

Graham Campbell is charming, smart, and, I’m told, oh-so-skilled in the sack. As long as I keep my eyes on the prize, there’s no way this pluck-the-flower project could possibly complicate matters.

***

Work and pleasure. As the CEO of a fast-growing company, I've been enjoying both to the fullest. What do I do when the board throws me for an unexpected loop so I can keep my business in my hands? I enlist the help of my best friend's little sister since she holds a big stake in the company. But then I learn there's another big stake she wants.

The one between my legs.

I can do this. Seven nights to teach her everything I know in the bedroom. There's no way I'll fall for her, even though she’s earning top grades in every single sinfully sexy lesson. And turns out I’m learning something too. The trouble is I don’t have the answer key to what to do when I fall hard for her.

And that throws a whole new hitch in my plans.

I first saw this book at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. I read the summary there and thought I like the tone of the characters and Kim's review convinced me to get a copy of the book.

This is a story of two friends turning into lovers because of a request. I like how the two authors managed to give the two main characters strong voice. It was fun reading about the two of them and their sweet interactions with each other. However, the story fell flat somehow. Personally, I think it didn't quite hit the climax of the story and the story is a little predictable. All that happened between the two of them was like a business transaction because of the request CJ made in response to the favour that Graham requested. I find that I don't quite like this part after a while.  Nevertheless, I do enjoy the fun and steamy story.

{Bookish Review} Wired by Julie Garwood

Wired
By: Julie Garwood
Published by:  Berkley on July 4th 2017
Genres: Romance
Source: Library
Rating: 

A beautiful computer hacker and a bad-boy FBI agent must collaborate—in more ways than one—in the sizzling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood.

Allison Trent doesn’t look like a hacker. In fact, when she’s not in college working on her degree, she models on the side. But behind her gorgeous face is a brilliant mind for computers and her real love is writing—and hacking—code. Her dream is to write a new security program that could revolutionize the tech industry.

Hotshot FBI agent Liam Scott has a problem: a leak deep within his own department. He needs the skills of a top-notch hacker to work on a highly sensitive project: to secretly break into the FBI servers and find out who the traitor is. But he can’t use one of his own. He finds the perfect candidate in Allison. Only, there’s one problem—she wants nothing to do with his job and turns him down flat.

What Liam doesn’t know is that Allison is hiding secrets that she doesn’t want the FBI to uncover. But Liam will do nearly anything to persuade her to join his team, even break a few rules if that’s what it takes. A temptation that could put his job—and both of their futures—on the line… and longing for more . . .

When I was browsing the ebooks available on my local library's website, I happen to chance upon this book. I borrowed it immediately because it's by Julie Garwood! She's one of my favourite historical romance author.

So Wired is about this super hacker girl Allison with a bitter family history. She used her skills to do good deeds without people knowing even though she's breaking the law but she vowed to stop this bad habit of hers. Roll forward to the present, she's caught the interest of the FBI to solve some leak without their department. To know how the story goes on from you, you'll have to read the book to find out.

Personally, I think this book is a page-turner. I practically read the whole book in one day. I like how the characters in the book interacts and supports one another. However, Allison and Liam do appear overly strong and without much flaws. Perhaps Allison has a few irritating flaws which persisted throughout the story but Liam? Liam didn't seem to have even one. When I reached the end of the book, I was disappointed to find that there was no epilogue. 

Look forward to even better books from Garwood!

{Bookish Review} Devil In Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Devil In Spring
By: Lisa Kleypas
Published by:  Avon on February 21st 2017
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Bought
Rating: 

An eccentric wallflower…

Most debutantes dream of finding a husband. Lady Pandora Ravenel has different plans. The ambitious young beauty would much rather stay at home and plot out her new board game business than take part in the London Season. But one night at a glittering society ball, she’s ensnared in a scandal with a wickedly handsome stranger.

A cynical rake…

After years of evading marital traps with ease, Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, has finally been caught-by a rebellious girl who couldn’t be less suitable. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him. But Gabriel finds the high-spirited Pandora irresistible. He’ll do whatever it takes to possess her, even if their marriage of convenience turns out to be the devil’s own bargain.

A perilous plot…

After succumbing to Gabriel’s skilled and sensuous persuasion, Pandora agrees to become his bride. But soon she discovers that her entrepreneurial endeavors have accidentally involved her in a dangerous conspiracy-and only her husband can keep her safe. As Gabriel protects her from their unknown adversaries, they realize their devil’s bargain may just turn out to be a match made in heaven...

My craving for historical romance read led me to pick up this pretty book from the random trip to the bookstore. The cover caught my attention easily with its magical feel. The next thing that captured my attention was that the female character actually has a board game business!

I'm really glad I picked this book because it has proven to me to be funny, unconventional and totally sweet. The manner in which Pandora and Gabriel met is so unforgettable and well... hilarious and unexpected.

I love Pandora's carefree attitude. She's just too adorable and trusting. It's never dull reading about her. Gabriel, on the other hand, is a sweet and protective family guy who shares a close bond with his family. I love the way the two of them interact with each other.

It was fun reading this book and I don't mind re-reading it again after a while. This book is recommended for those who enjoys a light historical romance read. The fact that this is book 3 of the series doesn't hinder the reading process.

{Bookish Review} It Started With A Kiss by Ella Quinn

It Started With A Kiss (The Worthingtons #3)
By: Ella Quinn
Published by: Zebra Shout on March 28th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Review copy from publisher
Rating: 

What is a young Worthington woman to do when the man of her dreams is not who she thinks he is?

This season, all eyes are on the Earl of Worthington’s spirited, beautiful sister, Lady Louisa Vivers. Many gentlemen are vying for her attention in and around the ton. Yet, Louisa longs for someone who can take her beyond the ballroom—a man who is worldly, adventurous, and passionate. She won’t settle for just any suitor. She wants her true soul mate—and she’ll know him when she sees him.

Is Gideon, the Duke of Rothwell, him? The moment he and Louisa meet, they share a powerful attraction. Rides at sunrise and waltzes at dusk follow. Finally, Gideon can no longer resist the urge to embrace her, and Louisa is sure he will ask for her hand. But Gideon believes he is in no position to marry. The Rothwell estate has gone bankrupt, a scandal simmers in its wake, and he has nothing left to offer. Now, he must decide if he will let pride stand in the way of true love—or if he will risk everything, and let the lady decide for herself…

Nothing beats reading a historical romance about a strong-willed lady who knows what she wants and very determined to marry for love. A chance encounter was all it takes to build the sizzling attraction between Louisa and Gideon. Imagine the surprise when they both realised how small their world was and how it brought them together again. Although the attraction was there, there was nothing Gideon could do until he sorted out the mess his father had left behind. Then comes the danger... the misunderstanding... and... more.

I really enjoy reading about Louisa and the funny little adventures and 'conspiracy' that she has. It is very obvious that both Louisa and Gideon were destined for each other from the start but there were many obstacles in their way but it concluded nicely.

The pacing of the story was good and engaging. Quinn has a good cast of supporting characters who helped to bring the story to live. Although this is the third book in the story, I have no problem reading it as a standalone. I'd definitely recommend this light read to anyone who fancies a lovely historical romance read.

{Bookish Review} From London With Love by Diana Quincy

From London With Love
By: Diana Quincy
Published by: Loveswept on February 7th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance (Mature)
Source: Review copy
Rating: 

Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.

I received a review copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has been a while since I last read a historical romance and the first sentence of the summary captured my attention immediately. It made me want to just find out more.

From London With Love does not disappoint. I'm utterly captured by the characters and the story. The book started with Emilia being kidnapped by Sparrow, the man who broke their engagement five years ago. The thing that I like about reading this book is that I get to guess who the culprit was as the story progresses. I must say that even though it is quite obvious, the process is still enjoyable. It's also fun to read about both Emilia and Sparrow, how they deny their attraction only to come together again in the end.

Although this is book 3 of the series, I have absolutely no issues with reading this as a standalone. I actually finished this book in two sittings but procrastination got the better of me and I only managed to write the review now. Would I recommend this book? Definitely with those who wants to have an enjoyable and light reading.

{Bookish Review} Love You More by Lisa Gardner

Love You More
By: Lisa Gardner
Series: Tessa Leoni #1
Published by: March 8th 2011 by Bantam
Genres: Adult Thriller
Source: Library
Rating: 

One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter?

As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child?

For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthinkable. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Picked this book random on a trip to the library. The secrets and mysteries the book promises sealed the deal (plus a quick glimpse at Goodreads). I wasn't disappointed at all. The author weaved a captivating story about a mother and her determination to save her child.

Tessa claimed to have shot her husband in self-defense and their six-year-old-daughter was missing. Something didn't sit right with the detective D.D. Warren and things started to happen. This book brought me surprise after surprise as the story progresses. I do admit that I did not really get into the book during the first few chapters--it was written from the perspective of Tessa and D.D--and it was probably due to the fact that I wanted to unravel the mystery behind everything fast. In addition, something didn't feel quite right to be at the way it ended. It seemed to me like the character became quite powerful.

Overall, Love You More is a good thriller and I would definitely check out other books from the author.

{Bookish Review} Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You
By: Jojo Moyes
Published by:  Michael Joseph (UK) on January 5th 2012
Genres: Romance
Source: Bought the book
Rating: 

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.


Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

If I were to summarise what I felt about this book in one sentence, it would be this--a depressing love story but still a good read.

I bought the book on a whim when there was a hype about it during the period the movie was released. I didn't watch the movie but heard lots about it so I was naturally curious about the book. The book started out good. I get to know more about the two main characters of the book and then WHAM! the accident happened and everything changes. The theme got a little depressing and dark and the new icy Will meets the chatty Lou. I enjoyed reading how Lou try to break down the walls Will had built after the accident. It's a good read for I am kept entertained throughout the book and wanting to know more about what was going to happen. There were funny moments, serious moments and fun moments in there. Would have given it a full five stars but Me Before You didn't move me enough.

Now, I'm interested to watch the movie. I'm still thinking whether I should be getting the second book. I probably will.

About Jojo Moyes

Jojo Moyes is a British novelist.

Moyes studied at Royal Holloway, University of London. She won a bursary financed by The Independent newspaper to study journalism at City University and subsequently worked for The Independent for 10 years. In 2001 she became a full time novelist.

Moyes' novel Foreign Fruit won the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) Romantic Novel of the Year in 2004.

She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children.

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