Sophie Reads YA: October 2022

monthly summary

October Summary

11:00

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters #2) by Virginia Heath

10:00

October

Stacking the Shelves: October 29th 2022

10:00

2022 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed #1) by Mary Jo Putney

10:00

Once a Soldier
Series: Rogues Redeemed #1
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Published October 21st 2021 by Canelo Escape

Goodreads Synopsis
All's fair in love and war...
As heir to a title, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead, he went to war. After years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong and unconventional, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. Yet for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel's enemies, while finding a love deeper than they'd ever imagined.

A thrilling historical romance for fans of Mary Balogh and Stephanie Laurens.
Goodreads

Review
Finding her adopted country at war was a shock for Athena Markham, but her family in San Gabriel have done so much for her, and she will protect her cousin, and heir to the throne, with her life. Will Masterson is on his way home following Waterloo, ready to take his place in society as heir to his father's title, and takes a detour to the small kingdom of San Gabriel, where he meets the beautiful Athena. Thinking he was done with fighting the French, when an old enemy arrives, and lays siege. Will won't let Athena fight alone, but he's right by her side when she needs him.

Well, this was refreshing. I loved that the book first of all didn't take place in England, and it had a multitude of characters who were strong and ready to fight for those they love. The heroes in this series are all connected by an escape from the wicked French General Bodain, when they were facing certain death, and Bodain returns to play a role in the invasion of San Gabriel. The romance was sweet, and all of the drama was external to their relationship. Athena's parentage was questionable, and in England, she is ridiculed as illegitimate, though the people of San Gabriel embrace her as the beloved cousin of their princess. The fight to save the kingdom was epic, and gripping. A new author to me, but this is definitely a series I'm going to continue!

Dates Read:
May 15-17, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

Mimi Matthews

Waiting On Wednesday: The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London #2) by Mimi Matthews

10:00

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

10:00

I Kissed Shara Wheeler
Series: None
Author: Casey McQuiston
Published May 12th 2022 by Pan Macmillan

Goodreads Synopsis
From the bestselling New York Times bestselling author of Red, White and Royal Blue and One Last Stop comes a debut YA romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need . . .

Chloe Green has spent the past four years dodging gossipy, classmates and a puritanical administration at Willowgrove Christian Academy. The thing that's kept her going: winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, the principal's perfect daughter.

But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.

On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she's not the only one Shara kissed. There's also Smith, Shara's longtime quarterback sweetheart, and Rory, Shara's bad boy neighbour with a crush. The three have nothing in common except Shara and the annoyingly cryptic notes she left behind, but together they must untangle Shara's trail of clues and find her. It'll be worth it, if Chloe can drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair-and-square.

Thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to this small town than she thought. And maybe - probably not, but maybe - more to Shara, too.

Fierce, funny and frank, Casey McQuiston's I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy and finding love in unexpected places.
Goodreads

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

Chloe Green may just be the only person at Willowgrove Christian Academy, both student and staff, who doesn't worship the ground that Shara Wheeler walks on. Vying for the valedictorian post, Shara is the only one who has ever caught up with her, and when she kisses her before prom, and then disappears, just weeks before graduation, Chloe needs to know more. Soon Chloe discovers that she is not the only person Shara has recently kissed, and Shara has left a series of post it notes and puzzles for them all to solve. Is there something special between the two, or is Shara messing with Chloe in order to win valedictorian?

I really enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blue when I read it a few years ago, so when I learnt that Casey had a YA book coming out soon, I leapt at the chance to read it. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is less of a rom-com, and more a mystery in my opinion. I expected something similar to RWRB, but instead found the mystery, and camaraderie between Chloe, Rory, and Smith, a ragtag bunch who no one would ever expect to become friends without a catalyst starting it all. The representation in this book is amazing, and I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager. I loved Chloe, and her family, and the entire cast of characters. The only person I didn't like was the Principal, who you're not supposed to like anyway. A fantastic YA debut from an already beloved author, and a book I can't wait to tell my students about!

Dates Read:
September 3-8, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Some Dukes Have All the Luck (Synneful Spinsters #1) by Christina Britton

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Some Dukes Have All the Luck
Series: Synneful Spinsters #1
Author: Christina Britton
Published November 8th 2022 by Forever

Goodreads Synopsis
Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, no more wants to marry than he wants a stick in his eye. As the owner of a gaming hell, he is all too aware the odds of a happy marriage are against him. But raising his three rebellious wards alone is proving more than he can handle. He needs to find someone who stands to benefit from a marriage of convenience as much as he does. Someone logical, clinical, and rational. And in a stroke of luck, he quite literally stumbles over just such a woman.

After years of ridicule for being more interested in bugs than boys, Bronwyn has accepted that she’ll never marry for love. Her parents, however, are threatening to find her a husband. Bronwyn doesn’t need any scientific research to show her Ash has secrets. But his proposal would give her the freedom to continue her entomology research and perhaps finally get published. Just as long as she can keep her mind on her work and off his piercing eyes, broad shoulders, and wicked, wicked tongue.
Goodreads

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

Miss Bronwyn Pickering has always been more interested in her studies than she has in finding a husband. Her parents control her life with an iron fist, and when she finally has some freedom, they ruin all her plans. When the new Duke of Buckley, Ash Hawkins, arrives on the Isle of Synne, desperate for someone to help him with his three young wards, he just may be the answer to all of her problems. Both can do with a partner, and a marriage of convenience is perfect. Neither expects love to follow, but it's soon clear that love has other plans.

Well, this was a spicy and steamy book. I loved the Isle of Synne books and was so happy to learn that Christina was returning to the island with her new series. Ash and Bronwyn were the perfect couple for this series, and the found family aspect, particularly with Regina, Eliza, and Nelly, made this book just that extra special. Ash never wanted to return to Synne, thinking it the place where his mother suffered, but after two of the girls run off there, he's forced to follow, and realises that he's in over his head with them all. He needs a wife, someone to take the girls to hand, and turn them from hellions into respectable young ladies. Bronwyn needed to get away from her parents, and have the freedom to explore her Naturalist side. I really liked the way the couple fought their feelings for so long, but it was hard for them to hide their longing glances, and their chemistry building. There were some moments when I wanted to shake the pair, but the ending definitely made up for it all. I can't wait for Christina's next book!

Dates Read:
August 5, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: How the Wallflower Was Won (Last Chance Scoundrels #2) by Eva Leigh

10:00

How the Wallflower Was Won
Series: Last Chance Scoundrels #2
Author: Eva Leigh
Published October 27th 2022 by Mills & Boon

Goodreads Synopsis
Never gamble on your heart’s desire

Notorious rake Finn Ransome is much happier at a gaming table than pandering to society’s expectations. However, his father has made it clear he must marry or lose his inheritance.

After a disastrous first season, Tabitha Seaton is focusing on books instead of ballrooms. She hopes to join the Sterling Society, a collective of the most influential minds in London. Except, they will never admit an unmarried lady. Now Tabitha needs a husband, and an infamous, handsome gambler may be her best bet.

Finn and Tabitha are opposites who believe a calculated marriage of convenience will solve all their problems―with no risk to their hearts. Yet once married their attraction turns into a deep passion that neither expected. When a painful mistake drives the new lovers apart, Finn will risk it all to prove a scoundrel and a wallflower are a winning pair…
Goodreads

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

Finn Ransome is the second in to fall in love. After he, his brother, Kieran, and best friend, Dominic, cause their sister to be jilted, they are given an ultimatum - marry by the end of the year, or all three of them will be disinherited by their families. Kieran found love with Celeste, but Finn doesn't expect he'll be next. Thinking of who would be best for Dominic, he introduces his friend to Tabitha Seaton, a retiring debutante who had a disastrous first season, and would rather be in a library or be a member of the Sterling Society rather than be in a ballroom. Tabitha realises that the Society will never admit an unmarried lady, so resolves to marry, but it's Finn who catches her eye. Though they may be opposites, they agree to a marriage of convenience - and it soon turns to one of love.

When this landed on NetGalley, I couldn't stop myself from requesting it straight away. I love Eva's books, and wanted to see how Finn's story panned out, see how Kieran and Celeste were enjoying married life, and learn a little more about Dominic. And How the Wallflower was Won did not disappoint! Both Finn and Tabitha were clear with their goals and reasons for marrying, which I loved. It's refreshing to see people be so up front as these two were, and the fact that Finn seemed to be the one who fell first, and the hardest. There are moments of angst, and some very steamy scenes too, and I found myself sitting down to read a few chapters, and the next thing I knew, I was finished. A truly fantastic book, and that ending made me desperate for Dominic and Willa's book!

Dates Read:
September 18, 2022

Rating
4 Stars