Sophie Reads YA: Lara Temple

2022 New Release challenge

Blog Tour & ARC Review: The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple

10:00

The Earl She Should Never Desire
Series: None
Author: Lara Temple
Published April 13th 2022 by Mills & Boon Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
This very handsome earl…

Is the one man she cannot fall for…

War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though it's not a love match, Lord Sherbourne is kind, amusing, and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him she finds him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the Earl’s eyes shows the feeling is mutual…
Goodreads

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

For Lily Walsh, marrying at seventeen turned out not to be the best idea. Widowed due to war, she lives away from her family, and has only come to London to be with her sister, Annie, before her marriage to the Earl of Sherbourne. As soon as Lily meets Marcus, though, the connection between the two is clear, and it's hard for Lily to remember that he's Annie's fiance, and definitely someone she should not have any feelings for.

I really enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure what to expect, really, and didn't like the idea that there might be a cheating aspect to the book, but it was so good. I read The Earl She Should Never Desire in two sittings, and Lily and Marcus were the perfect characters for this story. Lily has kept herself away from her family following her elopement and widowing, and she's only gone to London now because of her love for her sister. She wants Annie to be happy, and if being there for her wedding is what she needs, that is what Lily will do. But, unfortunately, as soon as she meets her prospective brother-in-law, there's a spark between them, that's hard to ignore. For Marcus, he wasn't too invested in the marriage, but knew as an Earl, he needed to marry, and beget and heir, and Annie was the perfect candidate - at least until Lily appeared. If you've watched the latest series of Bridgerton, this is quite a lot like that, but without the sister falling for her fiancee. Lily and Marcus were made for each other, and this story was perfect for their romance.

Dates Read:
April 2-3, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

About Lara Temple:
When I was fifteen I found a very grubby copy of Georgette Heyer’s Faro’s Daughter in an equally grubby book store. Several blissful hours later I emerged, blinking, into the light of day completely in love with Max Ravenscar and with Regency Romance.

But the love remained one-sided as I progressed through various fascinating but completely unrelated careers in finance and high tech until my mother gave me a firm shove by entering one my many drawer-directed novels into Harlequin’s annual writing contest. To my shocked surprise I not only made it to the top ten but Harlequin commissioned me to write five Regency romances.

I write strong, sexy, and suspenseful regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but deliver plenty of passion.

Like every (or most) writers, I would love to hear from you about books (not only mine) and history and whatever you find that makes you love this period and genre.

I live with my husband and two children who are very good about my taking over the kitchen table for my writing (so I can look out over the garden and dream). I love to travel (especially to places steeped in history) and hike and read as many books as possible (which just about sums up my dream vacation).

I recently went back to look for that grubby crowded little bookstore but couldn’t quite remember around what corner it was…hopefully it is still there and another girl is in the corner by the window, reading and dreaming…

2020 New Release challenge

Blog Tour & ARC Review: The Return of the Disappearing Duke by Lara Temple (+INTL giveaway)

10:00

The Return of the Disappearing Duke
Series: None
Author: Lara Temple
Published August 20th 2020 by Mills & Boon Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
A scarred mercenary…

Or the Disappearing Duke of Greybourne?

Rafe has spent years running from his true identity. He’s a lone wolf, living far from aristocratic England and his violent father. Then unconventional Cleopatra Osbourne requests his protection as she crosses the Egyptian desert. In Cleo he discovers a fellow outcast—and a fierce desire! Cleo must return to London, and here lies Rafe’s dilemma—because following his heart means claiming the title he’s avoided for so long!
Goodreads

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

I recently read another of Lara's books, The Lord's Inconvenient Vow, and loved the way she merged Egyptian history with the Regency Era, so jumped at the chance to review her newest book, The Return of the Disappearing Duke. Now, we follow Rafe and Cleo, as they both have reasons for fleeing Egypt to return home to England. Rafe, as the son of the late Duke of Graybourne, has just inherited his title, but hasn't been back to his estate for over twenty years after escaping his violent father. He doesn't particularly want the title, but wants to help his tenants and family, and hopes that by pretending to be dead, it will force his younger brother to return also, and face his own demons. Cleopatra Osbourne has also recently lost her father, but he was a cheat and a scoundrel, and now the people he has wronged are after her and her brother, Dash. Needing to find Dash, and get them both home before they get caught, she asks for the help of mercenary Rafe Grey, and the two of them soon find their close proximity to be more than just the sparks of excitement, but turning into something more. Will Rafe reveal his true identity, or is the thought of being like his father too much for him?

I hadn't realised at first that this book was about Edge's brother, so when there started to be mentions of Edge, and Jacob, and Sam, and when we saw the couple, I was overjoyed. Rafe was a wonderful hero - scarred on the inside and out from his past - and prickly enough to not let anyone get too close. As soon as he met Cleo, and saw straight through her disguise as 'Patrick', his walls started crumbling, and we saw more and more of the real Rafe. Cleo was so strong and vibrant, and didn't take any problems from anyone. She knew that she was in danger, but wasn't a shy and retiring damsel, but someone who wanted to act, and wouldn't let Rafe do everything for her. Their chemistry was just perfect, and though we knew there would be some angst coming from the reveal of Rafe's identity, I was rooting for them. Definitely a book I enjoyed, and I can't wait to read Lara's next!

Dates Read:
July 20, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

About Lara Temple:
Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.
LINKS: Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon

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2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: The Lord’s Inconvenient Vow (The Sinful Sinclairs #3) by Lara Temple

10:00

The Lord’s Inconvenient Vow
Series: The Sinful Sinclairs #3
Author: Lara Temple
Published October 31st 2019 by Mills & Boon Historical

Goodreads Synopsis
‘I have a favour to ask…

I want you to marry me.’

Part of The Sinful Sinclairs. Samantha Sinclair was always Lord Edgerton’s complete opposite. But as Edge meets Sam again in Egypt, it’s clear the years have changed her as much as him. So when she blurts out an impulsive, convenient proposal, Edge’s protective urge compels him to accept. Is it possible for two such different people to be together and find the happiness they both deserve?
Goodreads

Review
I saw this book on my library's online app, and have become a bit obsessed with historical romances recently, so decided to download this one during lockdown. The Lord's Inconvenient Vow follows Samantha Sinclair, back in Egypt, after a disastrous marriage. She's never forgot her crush on long time friend, Lord Edward Edgerton, and when he arrives unexpectedly, widowed, she hastily blurts out a proposal, which is surprisingly accepted. Both have been in love with each other since they last met eight years ago, and they need to work on their own feelings, while also trying to see if the other reciprocates them.

I loved the whole Egyptian aspect to this book, even if the majority of it happens in the UK. As children, both Edge and Sam spent most of their time on dig sites and around artefacts, which has always left a bit of mystique about them to the rest of society. Sam is a fantastic illustrator, and has been creating the illustrations for the well loved Desert Boy series for years, which, unbeknown to her, were written by Edge, telling stories of their youth. We also have the plot line of both feeling guilty over their marriages, where both were widowed, and lost children. Sam's marriage was horrific, with her husband treated her horrendously, especially when he realised she'd always been in love with another, and doing whatever he could to punish her. Edge, on the other hand, was married to someone who just didn't suit him, and when their son fell ill, left, and wouldn't have anything to do with Jacob until his death. Sam and Edge's grief over their lost children was a way for them to grow together, as they had never really had anyone to lean on. Their shared heartbreak, and childhood together was a way for their romance to develop naturally, and I really felt as if it was real and true.

Dates Read:
May 19, 2020

Rating
4 Stars