Sophie Reads YA

Stacking the Shelves: September 18th 2021

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2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: Claimed by the Laird (Scottish Brides #3) by Nicola Cornick

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Claimed by the Laird
Series: Scottish Brides #3
Author: Nicola Cornick
Published August 1st 2014 by MIRA

Goodreads Synopsis
He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…

An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.

Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…
Goodreads

Review
The final book in the series, Claimed by the Laird, sees the eldest McMorlan daughter, Lady Christina, find her own happiness after her sister's have all married well. Following the death of her mother on the eve of her marriage, she was forced to give up her future, and take on a maternal role for her younger siblings. Now in her thirties, and decidedly on the shelf, she suffers the indignation of comments and remarks made by her sister-in-law, and others, about her own happiness. However, she's more than busy running the estate on behalf of her absent minded father, the Duke of Forres, as well as being the head of the local whiskey-smuggling gang on the side. When the crown and Home Secretary become personally involved in the smuggling activities occurring on the estate, Lucas Black is sent to spy. He's on the lookout for the murderer of his younger half-brother, Peter, so masquerades as the under-gardener to get close to secrets. However, his every meeting with Christina is filled with chemistry and desire, and it soon seems like both might be falling for the other. Will they manage to come through the over side, or will their past catch up to them?

I did enjoy this book, but it was my least favourite of the series. Christina was an enjoyable character, but seemed a bit lacklustre at times, and the whole wicked sister-in-law story was a little boring. Lucas being in fact the illegitimate son of a Scottish nobleman and a Russian princess was a stretch, and the secrecy between the two was something I found myself struggling with. The plot lines surrounding Peter's death, the smuggling, and Christina's niece's secret marriage, were fun, but all in all, it was missing something for me.

Dates Read:
October 8-10, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

A Reckless Match

Waiting on Wednesday: A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals #1) by Kate Bateman

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2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Hollow Heart (The Midnight Lie #2) by Marie Rutkoski

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The Hollow Heart
Series: The Midnight Lie #2
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Published September 9th 2021 by Hodder & Stoughton

Goodreads Synopsis
Intrigue, romance, and magic abound in the heart-stopping conclusion to Marie Rutkoski’s Forgotten Gods duology.

At the end of The Midnight Lie, Nirrim offered up her heart to the God of Thieves in order to restore her people’s memories of their city’s history. The Half Kith who once lived imprisoned behind the city’s wall now realize that many among them are powerful. Meanwhile, the person Nirrim once loved most, Sid, has returned to her home country of Herran, where she must navigate the politics of being a rogue princess who has finally agreed to do her duty.

In the Herrani court, rumors begin to grow of a new threat rising across the sea, of magic unleashed on the world, and of a cruel, black-haired queen who can push false memories into your mind, so that you believe your dearest friends to be your enemies.

Sid doesn’t know that this queen is Nirrim, who seeks her revenge against a world that has wronged her. Can Sid save Nirrim from herself? Does Nirrim even want to be saved? As blood is shed and war begins, Sid and Nirrim find that it might not matter what they want…for the gods have their own plans.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Following the dramatic conclusion of The Midnight Lie, we see how Nirrim's bargain with the god of thieves has changed the lives of all those on Herrath, as well as Sid and her family. Though Nirrim's actions were from a good place, losing her compassion has turned her into a heartless queen, who has freed the Half-Kith, but is using their magical powers to bring the High Kith and Middling people to heel, before turning her attention on other nations, including Herran. Learning that her mother, Queen Kestrel, was ill, Sid returned home, ready to face her parents after fleeing from her engagement. But when she arrives in Herran, it seems as if someone is out to get her mother, and she needs to discover the truth before it is too late. But with powers both home and abroad seemingly out to hurt Sid, will she be able to save all those she love, or do the gods have another fate in store for her?

This book has been one of my most anticipated 2021 reads, so when I got home one Friday to find a review copy through the door, I immediately dropped what I was reading, and started it. While I really enjoyed it, I was a little disappointed to not love it as much as I had The Midnight Lie. To start off with, Sid and Nirrim were apart for most of the book, and though there were good reasons for that, I wanted to see more moments between them. With Nirrim, her character was completely different to that we had seen in book 1. She lacked empathy and compassion, and though she did want what was best for her people, she didn't really care who she hurt - physically or emotionally - to achieve her aims. And the little bit of power she had managed to eke out, soon turned her into a power hungry monster, really, who wanted to expand her empire to more than just the little island of Herrath. I did appreciate seeing this other side of her, and how the other Nirrim was a voice of reason she occasionally listened to.

Sid's chapters, on the other hand, were some of my favourites. When we met her in The Midnight Lie, we didn't really know who she was, and when it was revealed that she was the daughter of Arin and Kestrel, I was hoping we'd meet them again in this book. Now, it's been over 5 years since I read any of The Winner's Trilogy, so I've probably forgotten some of the events which took place in Arin and Kestrel's story. I found Kestrel to be a hard woman, though she loved Sid, she pushed her a lot for any love or affection. I appreciated the side plot of who wanted to hurt Kestrel, and the reveal of the who and why was behind it was fantastic! We saw a growth in Sid, which had started, I think, in the first book, but was really cemented here.

I think one of my main bug bears here, though, was the ending. Seeing all of the event wrap up, and learning more about the pantheon of the gods was wonderful, but it was extremely abrupt, and if I didn't have a finished hard copy in my hands, I would've thought there were pages/chapters missing. There were so many questions I still had that were unanswered, and I don't know if Marie is thinking to release a new series in the future, following on from this one, but there are definitely things that need tying up, in my opinion.

Dates Read:
August 7-9, 2021

Rating
4 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Winds of Change (Lords of Sussex #3) by Lillian Marek

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The Winds of Change
Series: Lords of Sussex #3
Author: Lillian Marek
Published May 25th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
She is rooted in the traditions of the past. He envisions a different future.

Lady Clara Grammont, daughter of an earl and niece of a duke, has the world at her feet, or so it must seem to those looking on. However, she is bored by the gloss and gossip of polite society. She is tired of gentlemen who see nothing but her status and her dowry and expect her to be charmed by their posturing.

John Smith is the orphaned son of a poor shopkeeper. He has grown wealthy through his own efforts and is now committed to bringing England into a new age. He can see the enormous benefits that railways can bring, transporting goods cheaply and enabling people to travel quickly. He despises the idle aristocrats who will stand in the way of progress to protect a fox hunt, but he needs approval from Parliament to build the railway. And he needs the support of Lady Clara's uncle, the powerful Duke of Ashleigh, to get that approval.

Lady Clara is intrigued by the idea of a railway. To the distress of her family, she is even more intrigued by John Smith. He, in turn, finds himself far too attracted by Lady Clara and is in danger of losing sight of his reason for meeting her. Then, the powerful forces opposing the railway put both of them in danger.

They must defy everyone to be together.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

As the daughter of an Earl, and granddaughter and niece of a Duke, Lady Clara Grammont knows that she is expected to marry well. But, she's seen her mother in a loveless marriage to her cruel father, and then find happiness with her stepfather, and she wants to marry for love, not status. When she meets John Smith, an orphaned son of a shopkeeper, who has made his way in the world and is flourishing through his efforts to promote the new railways, she's smitten. But, John needs the support of Clara's family to gain approval from parliament, and he hates having to pandering to idle aristocrats, though Clara is different. When it seems that they are going to be able to be together, and John with finally get the approval he needs for his venture, forces opposing both efforts come to light, and danger may be on the horizon.

I liked this book, particularly for its inclusion of the Darlington-Stockton railway, and visits to the North East of England - where I'm from - but I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I had the previous one. I never really grew to care much for John or Clara, and though the book was only 263 pages long, I felt moments of it dragged. The danger and intrigue was promising, as were the moments we saw of previous characters, but those characters seemed very much different to how they'd been in books 1 and 2, and not always for the better. All in all, an okay book, but missing something.

Dates Read:
May 28-29, 2021

Rating
3 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: A Debt of Dishonor (Lords of Sussex #2) by Lillian Marek

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A Debt of Dishonor
Series: Lords of Sussex #2
Author: Lillian Marek
Published February 11th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Kate Russell is furious.

It was bad enough that her father had let her grow up in virtual poverty, but now, her dissolute brother wants to use her as payment for his debts. She runs away, determined to make her way so that she will never again be at the mercy of powerful men.

Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh.

He has overcome the shame of his parents’ scandalous lives and has a well-deserved reputation for honorable behavior. Then he encounters Kate, the niece of an old friend. There is some mystery about her background.

She is not the sort of well-bred lady of impeccable reputation that he plans to marry someday, but he can’t get her out of his mind.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After losing her mother, who was the only family member who cared for her, Kate Russell is taken to London by her dissolute and degenerate brother, Humphrey, Viscount Newell. When she overhears him and the wicked Earl of Farnsworth discuss her, and the way she will be used to repay a gambling debt, she flees to Sussex, where she believes a maternal aunt lives. Hiding with her aunt Franny, she meets the Duke of Ashleigh, and the attraction between the two of them is clear. However, she's masquerading herself as Miss Darling, the niece of a tradesman, so is wholly unsuitable for Ashleigh, and his perfect reputation. Befriending the Merton's, and Ashleigh's sister, Lady Talmadge, Kate soon starts to feel comfortable in Lewes, but Farnsworth is not one to cross lightly. Will he finds her hiding out in Sussex, and will the new friends she has made be enough to protect her?

I enjoyed this one even more than I did the first one. Both Kate and Peter were amazing characters, and I love them so much. Kate had been brought up in virtual poverty, with only her mother for company, and due to the kindness of the local squire and vicar, she has some semblance of an education. Thinking that she would be guarded and protected by her brother, to hear that he wants to virtually whore her out to pay of his own debts was abhorrent, and she flees, thinking only of getting to safety. When she joined society, or at least what passed for it in Lewes, she wasn't put off by her background, and made some true friends, especially in Clara and Alice. Seeing that was nearly as good as the romance, but the chemistry between herself and Peter was phenomenal. Yes, there was a moment in the middle where there was a misunderstanding, and it seemed all was lost, but I liked how it was resolved. What made the whole book even better, though, was the way in which the whole gang joined forces around Kate, and managed to put a stop to Newell and Farnsworth. I really can't wait to read the next book, but I'm not sure who's story it's going to be. Another really enjoyable Regency read.

Dates Read:
January 31, 2021

Rating
3 Stars

2021 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: The Earl Returns (Lords of Sussex #1) by Lillian Marek

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The Earl Returns
Series: Lords of Sussex #1
Author: Lillian Marek
Published November 5th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
The Earl of Merton is back. Can he stay alive?

After three years as an involuntary seaman in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns to an England roiled by unrest. The end of the war has brought economic hardship and unemployment. Merton starts a shipyard, bringing employment to his neighbors but embarrassment to his family. They want him to marry suitably and settle down to a normal aristocratic life. He is not interested...until he meets Miranda Rokeby.

Miranda is the daughter of a Boston shipowner visiting her English relatives. She has an American disdain for useless aristocrats...until she meets Merton.

Together, they may be able to overcome the opposition of their families, but they have another problem.

Someone is trying to kill the Earl of Merton.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being presumed dead the last few years, Tom Wortham, the Earl of Merton, has returned, and is ready to take up his title again. Knowing that someone had a hand in his being impressed into the navy, and especially when more and more 'accidents' start occurring, he's wary about his family. Because of his experience in the navy, and seeing what awaits veterans when they return from war, he opens a shipbuilding yard on his estate, and the idea of being involved in a trade is almost too much for some. His elderly grandmother, and the dowager countess, wants him to marry, settle down, and forget about it, but the ladies who are paraded in front of him are too dainty and lady like. When he meets the American cousin of one of his prospective brides, Miss Miranda Rokeby, she's like a breath of fresh air. The grand-daughter of a viscount, her life in Boston has been one where her family and friends have respected her opinions, and it's normal for her to be around ships and seaman, and ambassadors and nobles alike. She has a disdain for nobles, especially the fops she has met in London, but with Tom there is a connection. Soon enough, though, Miranda finds herself at risk of the same madman after Tom, and it will take their combined efforts to discover the truth.

I really enjoyed this book. The premise of it all intrigued me, and I liked the twists and turns we saw surrounding the assassination plot. Both Tom and Miranda were lovely main characters, full of vim and vigour, who had different positions in society, yes, but could go toe to toe with the best of them. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and affection, and it was really refreshing to see. Tom has struggled in his time in the navy, one in which he wasn't expected to return from, and the subsequent plots against him would be enough to dishearten anyone, but he remained strong in his resolve. Everyone seemed to think of Miranda as a bumpkin, unaware of how society should act, but she was better than most of them. Her life back home was actually more prestigious than they thought, but still, she wasn't arrogant, or anything, which is another reason why she worked so well for Tom. I liked the side stories too - we see Miranda's cousin find love, meet Tom's best friend, the Duke Ashleigh (who is the hero of the second book), and obviously there's the mystery too. I had ideas of who was responsible for it all, but still there were parts that shocked me, and I was hooked until the end. A really good Regency read.

Dates Read:
January 30, 2021

Rating
3 Stars