Sophie Reads YA: December 2024

December

December Summary

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December

Stacking the Shelves: December 28th 2024

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3 Stars

ARC Review: Breaking Free (The Heart of Bath #2) by Jenny Worstall

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Breaking Free
Series: The Heart of Bath #2
Author: Jenny Worstall
Published September 13th 2024 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
A sparkling romance set in Regency Bath...

Strong-willed, vivacious and impulsive, Selina Templeton is determined to break free from the narrow confines of her life. She is happiest when eavesdropping at doors, or standing on the roof of Number 1 Royal Crescent dreaming of how she could change the world. Perhaps she might reform the prisons, or abolish slavery?

George Fitzgerald is a good friend of Selina’s brother, Henry. Clever and gentle, he is training to be a medical doctor, and is happiest in the company of his beloved horse, Trigger. He has worshipped Selina from afar for many a year, too shy to declare himself. Will he ever pluck up the courage?

When George and Selina are seated next to each other at a dinner party, hopes for the perfect romance to blossom are high – but despite an initial physical attraction, Selina judges George to be both dull and conceited. What could she possibly have in common with someone this tedious? And George persists in his belief that he has no hope of capturing the heart of the goddess-like Selina.

Will love find a way to break through, before a mysterious enemy takes his revenge?
Goodreads

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

Miss Selina Templeton has never been content in her sheltered life, and wishes for more. She wants to help change the world, but as a single woman in Regency era Bath, there's little she can do. But perhaps her brother's best friend and doctor in training, George Fitzgerald, could help? Selina has always cared for George, but she's starting to see him in a new light. Can George convince her that he's not dull and boring, but rather shy around the woman he loves?

As soon as I finished Lost and Found I couldn't wait to read Selina and George's book. They had such chemistry at the end of book 1 that it was clear they were made to be together, but the path to true love never did run smoothly. There's mystery and intrigue, and quite a bit of miscommunication before they could possibly have the romance they deserved. Seeing Henry and Kitty again, and learning more about Edmund - the hero of book 3 - was fantastic. I'm not overly in love with the writing style of this series, but the stories are enjoyable enough, and well worth a read.

Dates Read:
November 17-18, 2024

Rating
3 Stars

3 Stars

ARC Review: Lost and Found (The Heart of Bath #1) by Jenny Worstall

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Lost and Found
Series: The Heart of Bath #1
Author: Jenny Worstall
Published June 21st 2024 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
A sweet romance set in Regency Bath...

Captain Henry Templeton is missing after the battle of Waterloo, presumed dead. Six months later, a few weeks before Christmas, he returns secretly to his home city of Bath. He is desperate to declare himself to his childhood friend, Miss Kitty Honeyfield, but fears she will not be able to accept the man he has become after his shocking adventures. And until Henry has discovered the identity of the mysterious enemy who wishes him dead, he cannot risk exposing Kitty to danger.

Kitty is ecstatic to learn that the man she loves has survived. She longs for the romance with Henry she has always dreamt of – but will he still be interested in her after his experiences abroad? Besides, her father has made it clear he expects her to restore the family fortunes by marrying the odious Lord Steyne.

As friendship blossoms into love, Henry’s enemy emerges from the shadows with a wicked plan to separate the pair for ever...
Goodreads

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

Losing her love at Waterloo was almost too much for Kitty Honeyfield to bear, so when he reappears outside the lending library, and drags her into a nearby alley, Kitty will believe anything he says. Hearing how Captain Henry Templeton was left for dead by an English gentleman on the battlefield, and may still be in danger, Kitty vows to do everything she can to help him be free. But her own life is at risk, and she may be about to lose everything she's ever wanted for her love.

I love historical romances that have a bit of a mystery to them, and this one was no different. Set six months after Waterloo, Kitty is dealing with her grief over losing Henry, her oldest friend and the only person she's ever loved, as well as her own mother's illness and father's gambling which is ruining the family. She has her former governess turned companion Miss Steele by her side, but there's something up with Miss Steele and the creepy Lord Steyne. I loved the way that Henry and Kitty really cared for each other, it wasn't an instalove like in some historical romances, and the whole Templeton family were supportive of them. I did guess at some of the twists, but that didn't mean they weren't enjoyable. This is definitely a solid Regency romance, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Dates Read:
November 16-17, 2024

Rating
3 Stars