Review: Brazen and the Beast

* Book 2 in the Bareknuckle Bastard series *

Lady Henrietta Sedley has plans - BIG plans. This is the year of Hattie and she's ready to accomplish all the things on her first. She wants her father to stop thinking about her as a woman and more as an heir. It's clear her brother can't handle the shipping business. She has the skills and the abilities. But first she needs to make sure that marriage is off the table - which leads her to Covent Gardens.

Unfortunately, her brother left and unconscious man in the carriage. And when he wakes, he and Hattie have words. From that moment, everything she's planned for becomes derailed. However, Whit might be willing to help her...for a price.

My Thoughts: Of course I loved this book. It might be my new favorite of Sarah's books, but then again, I typically think that. I love this family and I'm dying to see how the next one plays out.

I loved Hattie - for her brains, her determination, her curves, her dreams, and her big heart. I loved her friendship with Nora. I love Nora's driving of the carriages. I loved seeing characters from other stories pop up and to check in one them. I loved learning more about Whit. And of course the banter between Whit and Hattie was amazing. 

I love how Hattie saw her future and reached out to take it. She had a plan. She believed in herself. And she wasn't about to let anyone, not even the most handsomest man of her acquaintance stop her. I loved the idea of the Year of Hattie. It was inspiring! Another wonderful feminist romance from Sarah MacLean that devoured.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing
Source: BEA ARC

Library Recommendation: Sarah MacLean is a Must Have Author for your library's romance collection.

Romance Review: The Proposal

Nik would rather be anywhere but at a baseball game with her boyfriend of five months. She's stunned when he forces her to look at the screen - asking her to marry him. He's never said he loves her. He spells her name wrong. They've never talked about marriage. It's no wonder that she's horrified. She tries to gently turn him down, but he's having none of that. He storms out leaving her there.

Carlos sees what's happening to this poor girl and then moments later spots a camera crew making their ways towards her. He and his sister leap up to help Nik. After rescuing her, they drop her off at a bar with her friends. They end up having a drink together. They meet up a few times as friends and wind up becoming something just a little bit more...

My Thoughts: Another great romance from Jasmine Guillory. Once again, I loved how this couple met. I love that they talk over food - there's so much food in this book. I loved Nik's group of friends and how they joined that class at the gym. It sounds like such a fun class - I'd even like to take it. I loved the secondary romance plot. I loved the cupcake shop. I loved the easy banter between Carlos and Nik. And I Really Loved the moments with the ex-boyfriend and how that turned out. I enjoyed the connections with The Wedding Date and seeing favorite characters pop in for a quick visit. A fantastic feminist romance

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for public libraries.

Romance Review: My Fair Duchess

In an unprecedented move, Genevieve inherited a dukedom - becoming a duchess. However, she's never been taught how to manage anything properly. She writes to her godmother begging for advice. Her godmother sends alone her steward.

Archibald Salisbury must turn Lady Genevieve into a proper duchess - and he has a lot of work ahead of him. He only wishes he could get her out of his head. For a proper lady can't have a man like him - estranged from his family as he is.

Duchess lessons have never been so fun.

My Thoughts: A really fun feminist romance. I love that Genevieve inherited a dukedom. And that she wanted/needed knowledge of how to make it successful. I loved her grandmother and their relationship. I adored the letters Genevieve and Archie wrote to each other, especially the crossed out thoughts. Their banter was fun and made me chuckle several times. The best romance books have a smart funny heroine - if you like that too, read this one!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section

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