Wimpole Street Widows Society #2: You Had Me at Heist by Christina Britton book review

This is the second book in the Wimpole Street Widows Society series and it delivers a charming historical romance centered on Iris Rumford, a widow and botanist determined to recover her late mother's stolen research before a rival claims credit for the groundbreaking discovery. When Oliver Beckett, a disgraced former Bow Street Runner hired to guard the collection, crosses paths with Iris, their initial antagonism transforms into an undeniable connection. As Iris and her circle of widows devise a daring plan to reclaim what was stolen, Oliver finds himself torn between duty and doing what's right. The novel balances witty banter, emotional depth, and a found-family dynamic that resonates throughout. While the heist elements take a backseat to the romance, the genuine chemistry between Iris and Oliver, coupled with her refreshing neurodivergent representation and the widows' loyal sisterhood, makes this an engaging and heartwarming read that stands well on its own. 

Historical romance enthusiasts will find lots to love in this book. It has a slow-burn romance with genuine emotional stakes, featuring a heroine who defies conventional expectations and a hero whose patience and respect for Iris's authenticity create deeply satisfying moments. The Regency-era setting provides the perfect backdrop for witty banter and yearning glances, while the found-family elements, from Iris's loyal widows to Oliver's devoted mother and sister, add layers of warmth and humor. I loved this book because it has a character-driven story with heart, meaningful representation, and the delicious tension of opposites attracting. I did read the first book in the series and enjoyed seeing Ethan and Heloise happy, but it can be read as a standalone.

Three BFFs and a Wedding: #1The Worst Wedding Date by Pippa Grant book review

Delaney, a bridesmaid at her best friend's destination wedding in Hawaii, is tasked with babysitting Theo, the bride's troublemaking brother, a man she's clashed with since third grade. When they're forced to share a hotel room, tensions rise as Delaney tries to keep Theo away from the groom while managing her own feelings. Theo appears to be a carefree bad boy who never wears clothes, hides kittens in his room, and mysteriously produces fresh-baked cookies. However, as Delaney spends time with him, she discovers he's harboring secrets that could change everything between them. The story unfolds with wedding chaos, family drama, and the gradual revelation of who Theo really is beneath his troublemaker persona. By the end, Delaney must confront whether her years of frustration with him have actually been suppressed attraction all along. 

I liked this book because 💕 it's a fictional, over the top destination wedding romance: chaos, humor, heart, and nonstop entertainment! ✨ Pippa Grant has a gift for creating witty banter and memorable characters, and Theo and Delaney's chemistry is totally hot. 🔥 The story balanced laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine emotional depth. The absurd moments like hidden kittens, a feral pig, ridiculous wedding mishaps, and a semi-porn site job, never overshadowed the real growth happening between the characters. I loved watching Delaney slowly break free from her need to be perfect and live for herself, while Theo revealed the thoughtful, caring person beneath his bad-boy reputation. 🩷 The book masterfully uses classic romance tropes; best friend's brother, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, bad boy x good girl, and opposites attract. Whether it was the kittens stealing scenes or the witty one-liners that had me laughing out loud, this book was fun from start to finish. There are lots of secrets revealed at the end that threw me for a loop 😂✨but they wrapped up the story with a satisfying ending.  If you are looking for a wacky, contemporary, rom-com...this book is for you.

Earls Trip: #3 Brown-Eyed Earl by Jenny Holiday book review

Brown-Eyed Earl is the delightful conclusion to the Earls Trip series, delivering a slow-burn romance that celebrates friendship, vulnerability, and intellectual connection. Simon Courteney, the scholarly and dependable Earl of Marsden, has long harbored quiet feelings for Miss Diantha Brown, companion to his friend's mother. When Diantha faces blackmail and an unwanted forced marriage, she devises a shocking plan to escape her fate. Though Simon initially refuses her indecent proposal, circumstances bring them together during an "Earls-plus-girls" trip, where their bond deepens through starlit conversations, shared literary passions, and genuine emotional intimacy. Holiday masterfully balances weighty themes—including dementia, grief, and emotional abuse—with warmth and humor. The character development is exceptional, revealing two lonely souls who find solace and strength in each other. While some external conflicts resolve off-page, the focus remains firmly on Simon and Diantha's earned, authentic connection. The result is a heartfelt, thoroughly satisfying romance that rewards readers' patience with a deeply moving happily-ever-after. 

 I have loved this entire series and the Brown-Eyed Earl is a great conclusion that honors genre traditions while embracing modern sensibilities. The Regency setting provides elegant atmosphere, yet the characters' forward-thinking values and emotional depth feel remarkably contemporary and relatable. The novel celebrates two bookish protagonists whose romance unfolds through literary discussions and philosophical conversations. A treat for this librarian who enjoys intelligent banter and shared intellectual passions in couples. The emphasis on found family, male vulnerability, and genuine friendship adds emotional richness to this story. Most compellingly, the slow-burn friends-to-lovers arc, forced proximity, and house-party setting deliver everything romance readers crave, while the thoughtful characterization and earned happily-ever-after are totally satisfying.  I love the idea of a annual friends trip (or Earls trip).  While this series is super enjoyable.  It can be read as a standalone.  Definite recommendation to add it to your list of books to read.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.  Its planned pub date is October 27,  2026.

Miss Prentice's Protegees #3: Pride Comes Before a Fall by Virginia Heath book review

In this witty third installment of the Miss Prentice's Protegees series, Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, hires Portia Kendall as a chaperone for his rebellious siblings during a summer in Bath. Leopold takes his family's safety seriously after one sister is injured at a protest rally, but he finds himself overwhelmingly attracted to the outspoken, principled woman he's hired. Portia, a passionate reformist writer struggling to make ends meet, accepts the temporary position to fund her real calling: championing social reform through her work at a radical newspaper. Portia sneaks out at night to write for the publication that criticizes the very aristocracy Leopold represents Their romance unfolds amid misunderstandings, class conflict, and the central tension between Portia's commitment to her principles and her growing feelings for the duke. 

I loved this book for its sharp wit, authentic Regency setting, and the delicious tension of a forbidden romance across class lines. Heath excels at blending political intrigue with romantic development, offering readers more than just a love story. There's substance in Portia's reformist mission and Leo's struggle between duty and desire. The banter crackles with intelligence, the forced proximity creates genuine chemistry, and the slow-burn payoff is deeply satisfying. Leo's protective devotion and Portia's fierce independence create a dynamic that feels both modern and perfectly suited to the era. I found myself thoroughly invested in this couple's journey.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.  It is out soooonnnnn....July 28, 2026.  A must for your TBR stack.

Minnie Harper #2: A Murder in Marylebone by Emily Sullivan book review

After more than a decade in Corfu, widowed mother Minnie Harper returns to England at the turn of the 20th century to settle her daughter in school and reconnect with family. When she escorts her impulsive sister Delia to a raucous house party, the night ends in scandal: Delia finds her lover dead in his study. Minnie alerts the police but, fearing gossip and convinced of her sister’s innocence, launches a discreet investigation that drags her back into Delia’s Bohemian circle and into the orbit of Mr. Stephen Dorian, Minnie’s former employer in Corfu whose presence rekindles resentment, attraction, and unresolved history. As Minnie questions fortune-tellers, flirtatious barons, and antique collectors, she faces meddling parents, and dangerous intrigue that forces her to confront her past while racing to clear Delia’s name. 

Historical romance readers will enjoy the slow-burn tension between Minnie and Stephen, the lush period details of turn-of-the-century English society, and the way romance and mystery intertwine without sacrificing either. I found the chemistry and emotional payoff especially satisfying—Stephen’s devotion and Minnie’s fierce protectiveness create steamy, tender moments amid the cozy investigative fun. I did not read the first book and could tell I was missing some details.  However, the second book was still enjoyable...even out of order.  Definitely a closed door slow burn romance, but the mystery was top notch and it's just a well written story.  Loved it!

Rakes of London #2: How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce

Lady Allegra Musgrove, daughter of an aristocrat who scandalized society by marrying a famous Italian opera singer, is forced from London to her family’s Norfolk estate after another disgrace. As she's getting ready for her trip, she’s abducted by a masked man.  The masked man turns out to be Lord Max Devereaux, son of a duke. A sudden accident strands them together and she must rely on her wits to keep them safe. To avoid attention they pose as brother and sister and set off on an unplanned journey filled with one-bed inns, shifting fortunes, and growing attraction. Secrets from both their pasts and questions about family property complicate their path, and they must decide whether scandal can become something like love. ❤️🔥✨ 

I loved this mix of classic Regency scandal and modern sensuality: a strong, inventive heroine; a roguish but redeemable hero; witty social tension over class and reputation; and an enemies-turned-lovers arc that blooms during a forced, intimate journey. The added layers—a family ostracism backstory,  the marriage-for-honor pressure from fathers, and a mystery about Max’s inheritance—give emotional stakes beyond the bedroom scenes. I found the book addictive: steamy, heartfelt, and satisfying for readers who want erotic chemistry alongside period detail and a satisfying happily-ever-after. 💫📚💍

This book is set to be released September 29, 2026.  Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington publishers for an ARC of this book.

A Hope Harbor Novel: Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore (A Hope Harbor Novel) by Brittanée Nicole book review

Penny Darling runs Bonfire & Bliss, a cozy romance bookstore in Hope Harbor. After a public broken engagement, Penny prefers fictional book boyfriends to real romance—until Jake “Monty” Montgomery, her high‑school best friend and now a struggling author, moves back home. Monty can’t find his words, and Penny sees a chance to help: she’ll teach him how to write the perfect book boyfriend if he pretends to be her real boyfriend. Their fake‑dating plan keeps the town’s nosy residents off Penny’s back, but as they work together—late nights in the shop, apple‑orchard walks, and small moments under autumn moons—their long‑buried feelings surface. What begins as practice turns into real attraction, filled with warm community scenes, found‑family support, and a slow‑burn romance that blends sweet tenderness with spicy moments. 

 

I loved Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore for its quintessential cozy‑fall atmosphere: a small New England town, a romance bookstore full of charm, leaf‑strewn scenes, and community warmth. The friends‑to‑lovers plus fake‑dating premise delivers satisfying tension and emotional payoff—years of mutual pining give the romance weight, and the slow build makes each confession and kiss feel earned. The novel balances sweetness and spice well; it offers steam without undercutting the tender, character‑driven core. Hope Harbor’s ensemble—a meddling grandma, a hilarious town group chat, and lovable side characters—creates a found‑family feeling that amplifies the story’s heart. Readers who like bookish banter, gently imperfect protagonists, and cozy settings will find this a comforting binge. 🎃🍂 I loved it because Penny and Monty felt real: their history, vulnerabilities, and gradual trust made their relationship believable and moving. The bookstore setting was pure comfort—perfect for anyone who loves books about people who love books. Overall, it’s a soft, cozy, feel‑good romance with just enough spice and a delightful sense of community. ☕️🍁✨ 

Pub Date Aug 11, 2026 | Thanks to Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.