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. 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn Vibes

This week's topic is Autumn Vibes. I love autumn - the leaves changing colors, the crunching of the leaves, and the cool brisk air. Here are some books that capture that feeling for me. Cozies have great autumn vibe covers!

Not Yet Read: 

I haven't read these yet, but the covers give me major vibes

If You Like Pins (7)

At work, I made a few similar reads pins for our Pinterest page...

This week we're featuring Christmas. I'm a sucker for a great Christmas story, so I hope these are helpful.

Contemporary Christmas Romances

Contemporary Christmas Romance

Regency Christmas Romances

Regency Christmas Short Romance Stories

Contemporary Christmas Short Romance Stories:

Cozy Christmas Mysteries:

Review: Crystal Cove

 *4th in the Cedar Cover series*

Justine knows that there's something wrong, she desperately craves the love and affection she sees her in friends' relationships. She begins to wonder why her relationships don't work.

It isn't until she discovers that someone put a curse on her that it starts to make sense. Justine's been raised Wiccan, but she rarely practices. She hasn't joined the local coven - a coven of women who are like family to her, despite her mother's pleas.

When a man rents out her inn, she begins to feel drawn to him. He's a loner. The more times she spends with him, she realizes she could fall for him. He's only there for a few days. Is that long enough to give her heart to someone?

My Thoughts: I love this romantic series set in Friday Harbor. I loved reading more about Justine. Her story was a little darker than the others. I really enjoyed the addition of wicca. All of the books seem to have a touch of magic, but I loved how Justine could create magic - and the consequences that happened because of her spell casting. I enjoyed Jason - reading about his faults and his strengths. It's great to see some of the characters from the previous books. I'm so happy that the series will be continuing with Lightning Bay!

Cover Thoughts: Dreamy
Source: my Library
Similar Read:  Cedar Cove books by Debbie Macomber

Holiday Review Thursday: Christmas with Holly

Now that's it's snowed, it's officially time to read and review holiday books! They will range from picture book to teen books to adult romances.

So I'm cheating today to talk about Christmas with Holly - based on the book which I ADORED Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor.

I really enjoyed the movie, but I still think the book's better. 

What I liked: The banter between the brothers (even if they were NOT how I pictured them)

Holly was charming. And she played by twins:

Eloise Mumford as Maggie

The chemistry between Maggie and Mark

What I didn't like: It just didn't have all the magic from the book, which is hard to capture. 

I wasn't crazy about the brothers. None of them were how I pictured them.

Did you see the movie? What were your thoughts?

What's on My Hold List (33)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold.

Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman: Recommended on twitter - love holiday books!

Lady Most Willing: After reading 15 books this year (I counted) of Julia Quinn's, I'll read ANYTHING she writes!

Crystal Cove: Love the Friday Harbor series - did you see Christmas with Holly. (I'm reviewing the movie tomorrow)

Adult Review: Dream Lake

* Book 3 in the Friday Harbor series*

Zoe's been hurt in the past by a long list of people, including her father but most recently her ex-husband. She's not looking for romance, she's simply happy and content with her life.


But romance comes in the form of grumpy Alex Nolan. He had a horrific childhood and an even worse marriage. He doesn't believe that he should be happy. He drank to numb his pain, but is just realize the depths of his drinking issues. As he tries to dry out, a ghost enters his life.


The ghost won't or can't leave him alone. The ghost can't remember much about his former life expect in bits and pieces. He knows that he's tied to Alex and might be responsible for helping him.
 
Can the three of them find peace and happiness together in Friday Harbor?

My Thoughts: I love the Friday Harbor series - romance with a little bit of magic all wrapped up in a good story. I love reading about the Nolan brothers. I love the dreamy atmosphere, I want to live in Friday Harbor. I love how protective Alex feels of Zoe. I like how he warns her off him, but can't stop hanging out with her. I really enjoyed the moments between Zoe and her grandmother. I reminded me of the moments between myself and my grandmother. I bet she would have liked this book too and I wish she was still alive so we could talk about it together over a cup of hot chocolate. Friday Harbor books feel like you're enveloped in your grandmother's love and drinking the best hot chocolate, it's rich, sweet, and charming.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous, but it isn't how I imagined Zoe
Source: My Library

Review: Mine Till Midnight

Amelia Hathaway has her hands full keeping her family together. Her brother inherited a title, but after losing his fiancee, he's no longer cares about anything. Another sister is still recovering from a sickness which left her weak. her two other sisters need attention especially now that they're titled.

Amelia whisks her brother away from London and all it's vices to their new family home, only to discover the house is in shambles. After a near disaster, they find themselves staying with their neighbors the Westcliffs.

Amelia also finds a man who kissed her is in residence. Cam helped her find her brother one night and stole a kiss. She hasn't stopped thinking about him, even though she's long come to terms with her spinster status.

Will Cam change her mind?

My Thoughts: The start of a series for the Hathaway family is romantic, family oriented, and delightful. Amelia learned to stop controlling everything as she's forced to lean on Cam. She loves her family dearly but she needs to also begin to think of herself and her life. Her family has their funny quirks which add humor to the story. 


I loved seeing old friends from the Wallflower series. I adored those books and it was great catching glimpses into their world. I adore Lisa Kleypas books, but I think the Wallflower series are still my favorite. 


Cover Thoughts: Love the color of the dress


Source: Inter-library Loan

Adult Review: Rainshadow Road

Lucy believes her relationship with her fiance Kevin is on track. It's not. He confesses that he's breaking off their engagement, he loves someone else, and then asks her to move out because her sister will be moving in.

Lucy is devastated. She and Alice have never had a great relationship, but she can't help but feeling betrayed. She moves in with her two friends while she looks for a place to live. Her life gets worse when she's in an accident while riding a bike.

She can't stay on her own with a broken leg. Her two friends (that ones that didn't stay with Kevin after their breakup) have crazy work lives and their inn isn't friendly to someone on crutches. Instead they ask a mutual friend Sam to take care of her.

Sam wouldn't mind getting to know Lucy better. However, taking care of her isn't what he had in mind. Still, it's not too long until he wishes things between them were different - that he was different.


My Thoughts: I love Friday Harbor. It's a sweet magical place. It sounds like the perfect place to live. I simply devoured this book and can't wait to read more about the characters.  I liked Zoe and Justine. I hated Alice and Kevin. I loved the brothers and their relationship. I adored Holly: she was sweet, sassy, and manipulative.  Sam was sweet and perfect. I loved reading about Lucy and her work. I found it fascinating. Rainshadow Road was amusing, dreamy, and above all romantic.


Cover Thoughts: Dreamy - it captures the book completely.


Source: my Library

Up Next:   Dream Lake out in August! Isn't the cover dreamy????

A look at Rainshadow Road

I can't tell you how excited I am for this book. I simple LOVED Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor - which has the same setting as this new trilogy.

Here's the author chatting about her new series:



I'm excited for the bits about glass artistry. That's always interested me. I'm excited for the magic, the stories about the brothers, and those colorful characters!

Rainshadow Road comes out at the very end of February and I can't wait for it!!!

Christmas Review: Wallflower Christmas

Lilian and Daisy's brother appears in England. Rafe and his father do not get along. Previously Rafe cut ties with his father and became a self-made man. Now, however, he's like to be part of the family business. He's willing to have his father pick out his potential bride.

Natalie is beautiful, sweet, and blue blood runs through her veins. She would be a suitable bride. However, Natalie fails to inspire him. She's not the woman he's been thinking about. She's not the woman he can't get out of his head.

He's thinking about her companion Hannah. Will he let his father dictate his marriage or will he follow his heart?

My Thoughts: I ADORE this series and was thrilled to see a holiday romance. I love the idea of honorary Wallflowers! Hannah was sweet, charming, intelligent, and darling. I loved the banter between Rafe and Lillian. I love the scene with the Christmas tree. A fabulous addition to the series!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it - but they are missing a Wallflower

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Adult Review: Devil in Winter

Evangeline's tired of her family abusing her. She's tired of them telling her what to do. She certainly isn't going to marry her cousin. When she finds out his intentions, she takes matters into her own hands.

She shows up quite alone and unannounced at St. Vincent's door. She has a plan and begs him to hear her out. She offers him the chance for the fortunes he so desperately needs and he offers her freedom and the chance to escape her family.

They set off for Gretna Green with no delay. When they come back, Evangeline finds the father she rarely sees dying. She rushes to his side to nurse him.

He owns a gambling house which St. Vincent takes over. Together they two of them must decide their relationship, their lives, and if they will change.

My Thoughts: I have mixed thoughts, I liked this book, but it took me a while to come around to St. Vincent (the horrible man from It Happened One Autumn). Thus, I didn't like this one was much as the previous two, but I did still enjoy it. I loved Evangeline standing up for herself and changing her life and living by her rules. I loved how the relationships with the Wallflowers struggled a bit. I wish we could have seen more interactions between the four girls. All in all, I'm curious to see what comes next for the friends in Scandal in Spring and then Wallflower Christmas!

Cover Thoughts: Peaceful and wonderful.

Source: my library

Adult Review: It Happened One Autumn

Lillian Bowman and her family are to be the guests of Lord Marcus Westcliff - the most eligible bachelor in London. They will be attending a large house party. Last time, the Bowmans visited Lord Westcliff's house, the man of the house and a friend caught the Wallflowers playing rounders - without all their proper clothes.

This time, Marcus catches Lillian and her sister playing rounders with the stable boys. He's unable to stop himself from joining in or giving Lillian some pointers on her game.

Lillian's never seen this playful side of Marcus. It doesn't last too long. Soon the game ends and they are rushing back to the house for dinner. Marcus and Lillian become stranded in the garden as they attempt to sneak back into the house. Before she knows what's happening, Marcus kisses her.

Lillian isn't any more fond of Marcus than he is of her. She's exceedingly puzzled by his kisses. Is there something drawing them together or could it be her new perfume with the magic ingredient that's attracting Marcus to her?

My Thoughts: The second in series of books - I wanted to read these after I saw The Wallflower Christmas and realized it was part of a series. I love the idea - of four girls, who normally sit on the sidelines of society and watch form a friendship. They make a vow to help marry each other off in order of age. I love the American sisters - Lillian is loyal, fierce, stubborn, daring, and quite determined. I love how her sister tries to smooth away any parental concerns. They have a great relationship. I love Marcus and how he learns to let go of himself - just enough. I adore this series but the ending of this one left me a little scared for Evie - which shows how deeply attached one can become to these characters! I am becoming a HUGE fan of Lisa Kleypas!!!!

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful - I love how it takes place in the garden

Source: my library

Adult Review: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Mark Nolan never thought about being a father until one rainy night, his sister died in a car accident. Now, he's a father to six year old Holly. Ever since the accident Holly hasn't said a word. Mark isn't sure how to reach her, but he knows that he'll do anything to protect her and make her smile again.

He bullies his brother into letting them live in his fixer-upper. The three of them start adjusting to their new situation. One day in town, Holly and Mark walk into the local toy store. There they meet Maggie who believes in Magic. Although she's struggling from her own heartbreak, she might have some to share.

My Thoughts: I loved this Christmas tale. My heart when out to all the characters who made me smile and laugh, but who also tugged at my heartstrings. I would love tales about the other two brothers.

Cover Thoughts: I Love this cover. I love the blend of Christmas with landscapes - simply beautiful.

Source: My library

Challenge: