A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles (★★★☆☆ 1/2)
E-Book • Libby • Historical Romance • 2023
Short synopsis: As a newly inherited earl fights to secure his contested estate, he must trust the son of a notorious smuggling clan—even as dangerous secrets threaten to turn ally into enemy.
I really enjoyed my first K.J. Charles book, so I was excited to pick up the second book in her Doomsday series. My thoughts on this one are a little all over the place. On the one hand, I really loved the romance between Rufus (the earl) and Luke (the smuggler’s son). Their love story was so sweet, and the sex scenes were hot, hot, hot. On the other hand, this novel had so much going on that I started to get a bit lost. There’s the main plot, as Rufus tries to figure out the rightful earl of the estate—is it him, Luke, or Rufus’s greedy uncle? Then there are several side plots, including one involving Luke’s real reason for coming to Rufus’s estate. It all started to feel convoluted and even a bit overdramatic, especially toward the end, and I think the story would have been stronger with a tighter plot and fewer unnecessary storylines. All in all, though, it’s a great romance if you’re looking for something with a little more substance (and aren’t scared off by graphic sex scenes!).
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein (★★★★★)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2025
Short synopsis: Two sisters examine what they owe each other and what they are willing to sacrifice to make their family dreams come true.
I am so, so glad Lisa put this book on my radar. I read Beck Dorey-Stein’s memoir a few years ago and didn’t like it at all, so I had essentially written her off, but I decided to give her fiction a try after Lisa’s recommendation. It was… spectacular! I absolutely devoured this novel about two sisters growing up with a single mom. One of the sisters, Cricket, is a soccer phenom, and the story explores the sacrifices families make when one person is destined for greatness. The plot moves quickly, and more than once I sat down intending to read for just a few minutes, only to look up 20 minutes later because I couldn’t put it down. It’s beautifully written, with fully realized characters, and there’s a sweet love story woven throughout that was the icing on the cake. I have a feeling this will end up on my favorites list at the end of the year, and I want everyone I know to read it!
First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks (★★★★☆)
Audiobook • Hoopla • Thriller • 2025
Short synopsis: As a wealthy woman rushes into marriage with a widower still haunted by his late wife, jealousy and suspicion spiral into a dangerous game where no one can be trusted.
I’m a sucker for a good domestic thriller, but this one got off to a shaky start for me. I didn’t particularly connect with Emma (the new wife) or Matthew (the widower), and the first half felt like an endless cycle of Emma experiencing alarming events while everyone around her insisted she was imagining them. Watching her repeatedly doubt herself because no one believed her was frustrating, and I am just not in the headspace to read about a man consistently gaslighting a woman. NOPE. But then the novel did exactly what a good thriller should: it pulled the rug out from under me with a twist I never saw coming, and suddenly, I was completely invested. What started as a frustrating read transformed into a compelling story about revenge, wealth, and power, while also exploring forgiveness and second chances. I really loved the way everything unfolded, and I have to give the author credit for keeping me on my toes until the very end.
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