Top Ten Tuesday: Book Wishes

 This week's topic is book wishes for 2024 ARCs - I need to add more books to my 2024 list, so I'm eager to see what you all are sharing!

Adult:

YA:

Nonfiction:

Middle Grade:

Children's:

Book Lists: Duke Books

Yesterday, I reviewed the Duke Heist and I thought about all the duke books I enjoyed.

So I created a list.

Here are a few - many of these are part of a series, but not necessarily the first in a series. And maybe of these are by my favorite historical romance authors. 

Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

It's Hard Out Here for a Duke by Maya Rodale 

When You Give a Duke a Diamond by Shana Galen 

I Married the Duke by Katherine Ashe 

Not Pictured: 

How the Duke was Won by Lenora Bell

What a Difference a Duke Makes by Lenora Bell

Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, and Joanna Shupe 

Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase 

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Two contemporary reads:

Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday 

Have you read any of these?

Book List: What to read after watching Bridgerton

I really did enjoy the Bridgerton adaptation.

I loved the scenery (Bath) and the fashion!

Take a look at this blog post with behind the scenes photos.

It would be amazing to be on this set - perhaps as a guest at a ball?

Eloise is my favorite! I loved her so much. I can't wait to see more of her.

And I'm hoping they make all eight seasons. (And it looks like they are! What great news.)

63 million households can't be wrong.

Or course, romance readers are not surprised by this. We've been here all along. There's a reason romance book publishing is a billion dollar industry. (No, that's not a typo it really is Billion)

If you're new to the romance world, welcome.

I talk about romance books often on this blog - both teen and adult.

I love the friendships in romance.

I love the strong feminist main characters.

And the clever banter.

Here are just a few recommendations:

Secrets of a Summer Night:

This is the first in the Lisa Kleypas series. Four wallflowers become friends and find love. It's delightful. And there's a spin-off series.

Nine Rules to Break While Romancing a Rake:

This is Sarah MacLean's first adult romance - her books are often connected by characters.

You can't go wrong with her books.

I talk about her books often!

Duchess Deal:

Tessa Dare used to be a librarian. Now she makes me laugh with her strong feminist characters.

Reviews here.

Earls Just Want to Have Fun:

This book made me laugh so much. I loved  the banter and the descriptions. 

Such a great read.

A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior:

The title grabbed me at first. I read this ages ago and never realized it was book 2.

Lady Bridget's Diary:

This is the start of a four book set that happens simultaneously between siblings. 

It's a nod to Pride and Prejudice and also Bridget Jones's Diary. I love all the books in the series and after reading it, the author has since become a favorite of mine. 

 

Christmas Book Review: How the Dukes Stole Christmas

Four novellas featuring four dukes from some of my favorite historical romance authors.

My Thoughts: I loved these stories. They were funny, sweet, charming, and entertaining. Meet Me in Mayfair mostly took place in one night during a ball. Louisa must find a titled wealthy man to fall in love with her in one night to save their family. The Duke of Christmas Present is all about second chances and chocolate. I loved the secret tunnel in that story. Heiress Alone reminded me of Home Alone - but set in Scotland. Her family won a house there and the daughters, except for one, are looking to be married well. The mother reminded me of Mrs. Bennett. Christmas in Central Park takes place in New York City, during the Gilded Age. There's a twist on the Duke in this one. I love how one bad idea snowballed until it became out of control. A fantastic collection of stories that I didn't want to end!

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section, your readers will thank you!

Review: The Wallflower Wager

* Book 3 in the Girl Meets Duke series *

Penny never turned away a creature in need - even if that creature happens to be the Duke who just moved in next door. She met him a the most scandalous way possible, but that wasn't her fault. Not really.

The Duke of Ruin can't believe his good fortune that a lady lives next door. That will seriously improve the market for the house that he recently acquired and is fixing up to sell.

He doesn't count on the number of animals she houses and cares for. He doesn't count on her aunt giving her an ultimatum. He certainly doesn't count on kissing her. But once he starts, he finds it hard to stop.

My Thoughts: I really love this series. This book is a forking delight. I loved the banter between Penny and Gabriel. I loved the animals and how they wormed their way into your heart - like the hilarious parrot. This book made me laugh, made me smile, and it made me happy for us wallflowers alike. I hated Penny's secret, but I loved the way she handled it. I love the group of friends and their husbands. Really looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I like the color scheme
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your historical romance collection

Romance Review: Duchess Deal

* First in a new series *

Emma storms the Duke's home wanting to be paid for the hideous dress she made his ex-fiancé. She deserves to be paid for her time and the payment is the only thing that will keep the roof over her head.

The Duke's former fiancé left him due to the scars he endured during the war. He revolted her. But this time he has a plan, a plan for Emma. He needs an heir and a willing bride.

Emma can't believe the Duke made her an offer of marriage - even if it does have conditions. Emma knows that she's nobody's idea of a duchess, but she has a few conditions of her own. She doesn't want a fake marriage; she wants something more.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this  book - it made me chuckle more than a few times. I loved Emma and her no nonsense ways. I loved that she didn't back down from the Duke. I loved her pet names for the Duke and how they made him react. I loved Breeches. . Of course I loved the She was warned, but nevertheless, she persisted line. I loved how she was seamstress and wanted to help her customer from reliving her previous fate. She was strong, determined, and smart. I loved the Duke - and his monster walks and how he helped others. I like how he visited Emma's father. I adored his sidekick. I loved Emma's friends and their quirks. I hope the other books are about them finding their happily ever after. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: From my Library
Fun Fact: I thought this was a Beauty and the Beast story, but I read on a blog that it was based on Deadpool.

Library Recommendation: Recommended for public library romance sections

Adult Review: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

* Book 5 in the Spindle Cover series *

At the ball, Charlotte spies the man she needs to warn about her mother. As he heads into the library, she follows. But before she can make her point and leave, they're interrupted. When Charlotte and Lord Granville are discovered leaving the library, a scandal threatens. Lord Granville offers to marry her.

This is exactly what Charlotte wanted to prevent from happening. She isn't about to marry into a loveless marriage and Lord Granville isn't the kind of man who's looking for love. Charlotte's determined to discover the identity of the real couple in the library and therefore gain back her independence.

But their stolen moments together hint at something else entirely. Could Charlotte be wrong about Piers?

My Thoughts: For some reason, I thought this was book 1 in the series, not realizing it was book 5 until I was already halfway through. So I kept reading, but now i need to go back and read the first four books. I really liked Charlotte - how she wasn't thrilled with her mother throwing her in the path of eligible men, how she and her best friend had big plans that didn't include marriage - yet, and how she wanted to clear her name if this misunderstanding. The chemistry between Charlotte and Piers was great. I loved their banter. I loved his job and how Charlotte changed all that. I enjoyed the book taking place during a house party. A very entertaining read, I'm so looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library