Sophie Reads YA

Waiting on Wednesday: The Devil’s Own Duke (Wallflowers vs. Rogues #2) by Lenora Bell

10:00

2021 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: The Girl from Everywhere (The Girl from Everywhere #1) by Heidi Heilig

10:00

The Girl from Everywhere
Series: The Girl from Everywhere #1
Author: Heidi Heilig
Published March 3rd 2016 by Hot Key Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Nix has spent her entire life aboard her father’s ship, sailing across the centuries, across the world, across myth and imagination.

As long as her father has a map for it, he can sail to any time, any place, real or imagined: nineteenth-century China, the land from One Thousand and One Nights, a mythic version of Africa. Along the way they have found crewmates and friends, and even a disarming thief who could come to mean much more to Nix.

But the end to it all looms closer every day.

Her father is obsessed with obtaining the one map, 1868 Honolulu, that could take him back to his lost love, Nix’s mother. Even though getting it—and going there—could erase Nix’s very existence.

For the first time, Nix is entering unknown waters.

She could find herself, find her family, find her own fantastical ability, her own epic love.

Or she could disappear.
Goodreads

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

For Nix, her entire life has been spent on The Temptation. With her father and the other crewmates, they travel the globe, using hand drawn maps to visit far flung sites, across the centuries, and even delving into mythology at times. She was born in Hawaii in 1868, and when her mother died, her father became obsessed with finding a way to return and save his beloved, to the detriment of Nix herself. Now on a hare-brained scheme to recover enough money to buy a map to the correct time, Nix needs to use all of her wits to ensure the safety of herself, and protect her friends.

I’ve had this book on my tbr since 2016, when I was sent a review copy, and for some reason, I just haven’t got around to reading it, until now. I liked the book, don’t get me wrong, but I think that I may have enjoyed it more if I’d read it at the time. The time travelling aspect, and especially the addition of mythology – like 1001 Nights, The Emperor’s Tomb and terracotta army, etc. – was refreshing, but very much similar to another time travelling series I enjoyed. I think part of my issue was with Nix, who I never really warmed too, or liked all that much. For me, she was too blah, and I felt like her character could’ve been so much better, if there was more development. Being a historian, seeing 19th Century Hawaii was lovely, as were all of the places The Temptation travelled to, but I was just left wanting something – nothing I can put my finger on, but still missing. I will be reading the sequel – partially because I want to improve my NG ratio, but also I want to see what happens. Maybe Nix will developed further now she’s at the helm?

Dates Read:
February 1-4, 2021

Rating
3 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Wrong Marquess (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #3) by Vivienne Lorret

10:00

The Wrong Marquess
Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #3
Author: Vivienne Lorret
Published June 29th 2021 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret continues the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series with a debutante who believes she is destined to marry the lord next door until a fateful encounter with a rogue makes her wonder... if she might be falling for the wrong marquess!

The wrong place...

Elodie Parrish can feel spinsterhood breathing down her neck. That’s the trouble with waiting for the marquess next door her entire life. But Ellie knows if she gives him one last Season, he’ll finally propose. The only problem is, her path keeps crossing with the arrogant Lord Hullworth, who is convinced she has designs on him.

The wrong time...

Brandon, Marquess of Hullworth, never wanted to be “London’s Most Elusive Bachelor,” or have a horde of hopeful debutantes and their scheming mamas follow him around. His past has left him too jaded to consider marrying any of them. At least, that’s what he thinks... until he meets Ellie. She’s quirky, opinionated, blushes easily, and drives him absolutely wild. The only problem is, she believes she’s in love with someone else.

Ellie never imagined that one sultry summer could change everything. But the more time she spends with Brandon researching her book on the mating habits of scoundrels, the more she wonders if she might be falling for…

The Wrong Marquess
Goodreads

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

In the third instalment in the series, Elodie Parrish is just waiting for her friend and neighbour, George, Marquess of Nethersole, to come to his senses, and finally propose, after promising to do so years ago. She can see spinsterhood is in the cards, but she'll give him one final season. When she comes across the highly arrogant and handsome Marquess of Hullworth at a party, she's the only person not falling at his feet, but still he's suspicious. At every turn, he's imagining she's only made friends with his sister, Meg, in order to get closer to him, but she's adamant that George is the one for her, and not Brandon. And the longer they spend time together, Brandon may just be ready to settle down, and give up his title of “London’s Most Elusive Bachelor”, but only if he can marry Ellie. Can Brandon convince Ellie that George is not the right Marquess for her, and rather that he is? And will she be able to find Prudence after all this time, and learn the truth about why she fled town after being ruined at a party by the mysterious Lord F?

As soon as I had finished My Kind of Earl, I couldn't wait to read The Wrong Marquess and see if Ellie manages to get George to see the real her. So, when I opened my emails after work before the Easter holidays, and saw that Avon had approved my request, I couldn't wait to read it! I went in thinking it would be Ellie and George's story - I never read the synopsis, oops - and was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to Brandon. He was a softy at heart, and honestly cared for those in his life. He was sick and tired of people trying to get close to him through his sister, and hurting Meg's feelings, and had seen just about every trick in the book for attention. So, when Ellie crosses paths with him again and again, dropping her handkerchief, and spraining her ankle, and whatnot, he's immediately against her. But, he soon realises that she's completely guileless, and doesn't think of him in that way - though her heart flutters around him, and she becomes flushed. In her mind, George is the one she's going to marry, and that's that. So, Brandon has a bit of an uphill battle on his hands to prove he's the one she should marry.

Ellie was adorable, and such an amazing character. She lost both her parents when she was really young, and it was actually at her father's funeral when she met George, and he made the comment that they would marry one day. That's always stuck in her mind, and though she lives with her aunts, who also adore George, but don't want her to put all her eggs in one basket, she can't get over him. For George, he's awful! He's like a big baby, who doesn't care about anyone else, or if his actions cause pain or suffering. Ellie has always had a thing about heights, and yet he forces her to get on his phaeton, which leaves her injured, and he treats it like nothing. He regularly drops in and expects Ellie to clear up his messes, and basically act as his marchioness, without any of the honour or love that would come with it. Brandon, though, always thought of Ellie, even when he was watching her to keep an eye on Meg. He sees her struggles, and her hurt feelings, and wants to do anything in his control to help. When she mentions that she, her aunts, and George will be going into the country to see Prue, but George hasn't planned it all out properly, Brandon agrees to open up his country estate, and host them. Really, he wants to keep an eye on George, because he can see the darkness within, and be as close to Ellie as possible.

The secondary plot line, about Prue and why she left, took a turn I wasn't immediately expecting. I loved how the series has come full circle, and we see past characters again. We also finally learn the truth about who 'Lord F' was, and why Prue had to leave - and the undeserving lord finally gets his comeuppance too. I'm so happy that there's going to be a fourth book, looking at Meg and Prue, and I can't wait for them to get their happy endings!

Dates Read:
March 31-April 1, 2021

Rating
4 Stars

September

Stacking the Shelves: September 4th 2021

10:00

2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: Proof by Seduction (Carhart #1) by Courtney Milan

10:00

Proof by Seduction
Series: Carhart #1
Author: Courtney Milan
Published March 1st 2011 by Mills & Boon

Goodreads Synopsis
A gifted fortune-teller from a humble background, Jenny can make even the most sophisticated sceptic believe her predictions by batting her smoky eyelashes – until she meets Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, scientist and a sworn bachelor. Broodingly handsome Gareth is scandalised to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of ‘Madame Esmerelda’ and vows to prove Jenny a fraud.

Gareth’s unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress disrupts his calculated plan, until he can’t decide whether to seduce her or ruin her! Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, these two must choose between everything they know and the boundless possibilities of love.
Goodreads

Review
Proof by Seduction sees the humble Miss Jenny Keeble use her persona as ‘Madame Esmerelda’ to make her way through the difficult London world. One of her most devoted clients is the young Ned Carhart, who after suffering deep depression, relies heavily on Jenny's help throughout his life. However, his uncle, Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, is wholly against mystics, who he sees as charlatans, and sets out to prove that 'Madame Esmerelda' is nothing but a cheat and a liar. As he plans to do this, Jenny sets him three tasks to complete, but soon it seems he's more at risk of falling in love rather than failing to reveal the truth.

I've heard so much about Milan's books since I started reading historical fiction, and this was a book I could pick up as soon as my library reopened after lock down, so I gave it a go. I enjoyed the romantic aspects between Gareth and Jenny, and really felt for Ned at times. Jenny had a difficult upbringing, and had to rely on anything she could to survive, even it that was masquerading as a fortune teller and taking money off those in times of struggle. Ned was one of these people, but she formed a real friendship with him, and cared for him as a sort of pseudo-sister. At times, though, I felt like Ned needed to grow up a bit, and stop relying on others for so much, and start acting his age. Yes, his relationship with Gareth was strained, and because of how straight laced and clinical Gareth was, he didn't suffer Ned's foolish actions lightly, but that was no way for Ned to still be acting as he was. I know the next book in the series is about Ned, and I'm somewhat interested in reading it, but not in any real rush. All in all, an okay read, but not one that blew me away.

Dates Read:
August 31-September 1, 2020

Rating
3 Stars

books on my radar

September books on my radar

11:00

The Pick-Up
Series: None
Author: Miranda Kenneally
September 1st 2021 by Sourcebooks Fire
When Mari hails a rideshare to a music festival, the last thing she expects is for the car to pick up a gorgeous guy along the way. Mari doesn't believe in dating--it can only end with a broken heart. Besides, she's only staying at her dad's house in Chicago for the weekend. How close can you get to a guy in three days?
TJ wants to study art in college, but his family's expectations cast a long shadow over his dreams. When he meets Mari in the back of a rideshare, he feels alive for the first time in a long time.
Mari and TJ enter the festival together and share an electric moment but get separated in a crowd with seemingly no way to find each other. When fate reunites them (with a little help from a viral hashtag), they'll have to decide: was it love at first sight, or the start of nothing more than a weekend fling?
Goodreads

Portrait of a Scotsman
Series: A League of Extraordinary Women #3
Author: Evie Dunmore
September 2nd 2021 by Piatkus
Going toe-to-toe with a brooding Scotsman is rather bold for a respectable suffragist, but when he happens to be one's unexpected husband, what else is an unwilling bride to do?
London banking heiress Hattie Greenfield wanted "just" three things in life:
1. Acclaim as an artist.
2. A noble cause.
3. Marriage to a young lord who puts the gentle in gentleman.
Why then does this Oxford scholar find herself at the altar with the darkly attractive financier Lucian Blackstone, whose murky past and ruthless business practices strike fear in the hearts of Britain's peerage? Trust Hattie to take an invigorating little adventure too far. Now she's stuck with a churlish Scot who just might be the end of her ambitions....
When the daughter of his business rival all but falls into his lap, Lucian sees opportunity. As a self-made man, he has vast wealth but holds little power, and Hattie might be the key to finally setting long-harbored political plans in motion. Driven by an old revenge, he has no room for his new wife's apprehensions or romantic notions, bewitching as he finds her.
But a sudden journey to Scotland paints everything in a different light. Hattie slowly sees the real Lucian and realizes she could win everything—as long as she is prepared to lose her heart.
Goodreads

Never Saw You Coming
Series: None
Author: Erin Hahn
September 7th 2021 by Wednesday Books
Raised by conservative parents, 18-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. Instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed.
While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship about the church. The clock is ticking on Pastor Allen’s probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive - even when he can’t possibly forget.
As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.
In Erin Hahn’s Never Saw You Coming, sometimes it takes a leap of faith to find yourself.
Goodreads

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

The Earl's Iron Warrant
Series: The Dukes' Pact #6
Author: Kate Archer
September 9th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
An Icy Lady and an Implacable Lord...
Charles Battersea, Earl of Dalton and heir to the Duke of Glastonburg, is the last holdout among the six young heirs who have been pressured to marry by way of the Dukes’ Pact. This surprises precisely nobody, especially not himself. He has unaccountably lost his friend, Grayson, to Miss Dell, but if he is forced to tow the bachelorhood line alone, so be it. He has his reasons for avoiding marriage, and they are not what people imagine.
Daisy Danworth, daughter of the dreaded Lord Childress, presents a cool and confident face to the world, as would anybody who’d grown up in such a house. It’s been a matter of survival, and she and her companion, Mrs. Jellops, have survived. Daisy has a certain long-held plan in mind for her future—a charming house in Brighton where she can finally be free. Free of society, and especially, free of men.
A sudden turn of events tosses everybody’s plans topsy-turvy and throws Daisy and Charles unwillingly together. Through managing servants, murderous lotharios, and a missing crown jewel, the cold Lord Dalton and the frosty Miss Danworth might just begin to thaw.
As for their friend, Lord Burke, it seems he’s been harboring a secret all along...
Goodreads

The Hawthorne Legacy
Series: The Inheritance Games #2
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
September 9th 2021 by Penguin
Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Inheritance Games perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.
The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions - including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons.
As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture - by any means necessary.
With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.
Goodreads

The Lost Girls
Series: None
Author: Sonia Hartl
September 14th 2021 by Page Street Kids
Sonia Hartl’s The Lost Girls is laced with dark humor and queer love; it’s John Tucker Must Die with a feminist girl gang of vampires.
When Elton Irving turned Holly Liddell into a vampire in 1987, he promised her eternal love. But thirty-four years later, Elton has left her, her hair will be crimped for the rest of immortality, and the only job she can get as a forever-sixteen-year-old is the midnight shift at Taco Bell.
Holly’s afterlife takes an interesting turn when, she meets Rose McKay and Ida Ripley. Having also been turned and discarded by Elton—Rose in 1954, and Ida, his ex-fiancée, in 1921—they want to help her, and ask for her help in return.
Rose and Ida are going to kill Elton before he turns another girl. Though Holly is hurt and angry with Elton for tossing her aside, she’s reluctant to kill her ex, until Holly meets Parker Kerr—the new girl Elton has set his sights on—and feels a quick, and nerve-wracking attraction to her.
Goodreads

Defy the Night
Series: Defy the Night #1
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
September 14th 2021 by Bloomsbury YA
A spark of rebellion is all it takes to DEFY THE NIGHT.
In a kingdom where sickness stalks the streets and only the richest can afford a cure, King Harristan and his brother Prince Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist.
Tessa Cade is a masked outlaw marked for death, but she likes it that way. Together with the mysterious, handsome Weston, she robs from the rich to help the poor, distributing food and medicine to those who need it most.
As it becomes clear that the only way to save her people is to assassinate the King, Tessa must face a deadly mission that will take her to the dark heart of the kingdom . and force her to work with the very people she intended to destroy.
From New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer comes a brand-new blockbuster fantasy series about a corrupt kingdom, a star-crossed romance and a girl who will do anything for justice.
Goodreads

Not Even For a Duke
Series: The Wallflowers of West Lane #4
Author: A.S. Fenichel
September 14th 2021 by A.S. Fenichel
Finishing school brought four young wallflowers together. The perils of London’s marriage market inspired a pact to protect each other for a lifetime...
Survivor of a hellish marriage, Aurora Sherborne, Dowager Countess of Radcliff, is determined to never be taken in by love. With the other Wallflowers married and starting families, her West Lane residence is empty and lonely. What’s missing is a child of her own, to raise and make her house a home. Intent on marrying only to have children, Aurora wants nothing to do with romantic attachments.
The newly minted Duke of Cowin, Garrett Winslow, has known Aurora all her life, and loved her nearly as long. Recently returned from his travels abroad, he’s certain the infatuation was left in the past, but upon seeing the now-widowed Aurora, those feelings come rushing back.
Maddeningly, Aurora regards him as nothing more than her brother’s best friend. Determined to make her his, Garrett will use every tender weapon to seduce her—and prove she’s worthy of true love.
Goodreads

The Devil Makes Three
Series: None
Author: Tori Bovalino
September 14th 2021 by Titan Books
The devil seeks his due from two unsuspecting students in this YA horror novel for fans of The Library of the Unwritten and VE Schwab.
When Tess and Eliot stumble upon an ancient book hidden in a secret tunnel beneath their school library, they accidentally release a devil from his book-bound prison, and he’ll stop at nothing to stay free. He’ll manipulate all the ink in the library books to do his bidding, he’ll murder in the stacks, and he’ll bleed into every inch of Tess’s life until his freedom is permanent. Forced to work together, Tess and Eliot have to find a way to re-trap the devil before he kills everyone they know and love, including, increasingly, each other. And compared to what the devil has in store for them, school stress suddenly doesn’t seem so bad after all.
Goodreads

Not Here to Be Liked
Series: None
Author: Michelle Quach
September 16th 2021 by Usborne Publishing
Falling in love wasn't part of the plan. Eliza Quan fully expects to be voted the next editor-in-chief of her school paper. She works hard, she respects the facts, and she has the most experience. Len DiMartile is an injured star baseball player who seems to have joined the paper just to have something to do. Naturally, the staff picks Len to be their next leader. Because while they may respect Eliza, they don't particularly like her - but right now, Eliza is not here to be liked. She's here to win. But someone does like Eliza. A lot. Shame it's the boy standing in the way of her becoming editor-in-chief....
Goodreads

As If on Cue
Series: None
Author: Marisa Kanter
September 21st 2021 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
A pair of fierce foes are forced to work together to save the arts at their school in this swoony YA enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson are sure to adore.
Lifelong rivals Natalie and Reid have never been on the same team. So when their school’s art budget faces cutbacks, of course Natalie finds herself up against her nemesis once more. She’s fighting to direct the school’s first ever student-written play, but for her small production to get funding, the school’s award-winning band will have to lose it. Reid’s band. And he’s got no intention of letting the show go on.
But when their rivalry turns into an all-out prank war that goes too far, Natalie and Reid have to face the music, resulting in the worst compromise: writing and directing a musical. Together. At least if they deliver a sold-out show, the school board will reconsider next year’s band and theater budget. Everyone could win.
Except Natalie and Reid.
Because after spending their entire lives in competition, they have absolutely no idea how to be co-anything. And they certainly don’t know how to deal with the feelings that are inexplicably, weirdly, definitely developing between them…
Goodreads

Earl’s Choice
Series: Regency Royals #2
Author: Jess Michaels
September 21st 2021 by The Passionate Pen LLC
The second book in the regal series by 10 time USA Today bestselling author Jess Michaels
Thomas, the Earl of Bramwell, has one duty: to repair his family’s fallen fortunes by marrying Princess Ilaria of Athawick. It’s not something he looks forward to, but he is resigned to it and it seems the princess is equally unenthusiastic. Everything changes when he meets her body double, Sasha Killick. His life is immediately turned upside down by the beautiful woman who catches his attention far more than any princess.
Sasha is an adopted daughter of the royal family, but she’s always felt on the outside looking in on her family. Because of how similar they look, she does what is required to help protect the princess, which is how she finds herself out on a terrace with Thomas. Now her head is spinning. This is the man intended for a woman she considers her sister. She cannot betray someone she loves, even if Thomas does make her heart flutter.
An immediate attraction begins to build to a love that can never be. But when Sasha’s life is endangered by people seeking to harm Ilaria, Thomas must decide if he’s willing to lose the woman who has altered his existence in every way that matters.
Heat Level: All the longing and eventually...all the other stuff.
Goodreads

The Dishonored Viscount
Series: Diamonds in the Rough #8
Author: Sophie Barnes
September 21st 2021 by Sophie Barnes
He knows he doesn’t deserve her, yet he can’t get her out of his mind...
Stripped of his title because of a crime his father committed, Marcus Berkly has struggled to find a new place for himself in the world. Now, as London’s most skilled eye-surgeon, he dedicates his time to his patients while steering clear of Society. Until a chance encounter with a determined young woman upends his life.
When Lady Louise discovers that Mr. Berkly’s surgical method could save her from permanent blindness, she decides to enlist his help. Against her father’s direct orders, she takes charge of her fate, and falls desperately in love in the process. But can a proper lady and an ill-reputed scoundrel have a future together? Or are the odds against them simply too great?
Goodreads

The Devil’s Own Duke
Series: Wallflowers vs. Rogues #2
Author: Lenora Bell
September 28th 2021 by Piatkus
Once upon a time in Mayfair . . . a group of wallflowers formed a secret society with goals that had absolutely nothing to do with matrimony. Their most troublesome obstacle? Rogues!
Lady Henrietta Prince is far too busy for romance. She's dedicated her life to turning her family vineyards into a profitable wine venture. But when she shares a kiss at midnight with a handsome stranger, she's captivated... until he claims to be the distant heir to her father's earldom.
Ash Ellis is a gambler who lives life on the edge. Now he's locked his sights on a glittering prize and nothing will stand in his way.
When Henrietta is forced to marry the wickedly seductive scoundrel to keep her beloved vineyards, she vows that Ash will never have her trust, or her love. Even if his kisses are more intoxicating than the finest of wines.
His new bride is certainly beautiful, but biddable? Not so much. Ash will settle for nothing less than Henrietta's total surrender... but is he the one in danger of losing his heart?
Goodreads

A Reckless Match
Series: Ruthless Rivals #1
Author: Kate Bateman
September 28th 2021 by St. Martin's Press
The first in a new regency romance series about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love.
Maddie Montgomery's family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie's teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they've also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.
Kate Bateman brings crackling banter, steamy romance, and a dash of adventure into the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series.
Goodreads

The Duchess Hunt
Series: Once Upon a Dukedom #2
Author: Lorraine Heath
September 28th 2021 by Avon
New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath continues her Once Upon a Dukedom series with this lush love story of a duke who discovers what he desires in a wife may not be what he needs...
Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, is in need of a duchess. However, restoring the dukedom—left in ruins by his father—to its former glory demands all his time, with little room for sentiment. He places an advert encouraging the single ladies of the ton to write why they should be the one chosen, and leaves it to his efficient secretary to select his future wife.
If there exists a more unpleasant task in the world than deciding who is to marry the man you love, Penelope Pettypeace certainly can’t imagine what it might be. Still, she is determined to find the perfect bride for her clueless, yet ruthlessly charming employer.
But when an anonymous note threatens to reveal truths best hidden, Kingsland has no choice but to confront the danger with Penelope at his side. Beguiled by the strong-willed, courageous beauty, he realizes he’s willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her safe within his arms. Could it be the duchess he’s hunting for has been in front of him all along?
Goodreads

Once Upon a Broken Heart
Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #1
Author: Stephanie Garber
September 30th 2021 by Hodder & Stoughton
From Stephanie Garber, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval, Once Upon a Broken Heart is the first book in a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.
Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.
But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…
Goodreads

What has caught your eye for September? Have you read any of these? Let me know :)

Lorraine Heath

Waiting on Wednesday: The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2) by Lorraine Heath

10:00

Waiting on Wednesday: The Devil’s Own Duke (Wallflowers vs. Rogues #2) by Lenora Bell

ARC Review: The Girl from Everywhere (The Girl from Everywhere #1) by Heidi Heilig

ARC Review: The Wrong Marquess (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #3) by Vivienne Lorret

Stacking the Shelves: September 4th 2021

Review: Proof by Seduction (Carhart #1) by Courtney Milan

September books on my radar

Waiting on Wednesday: The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2) by Lorraine Heath

Contact Form

About Me

Search

Bloglovin'

Currently Reading

Reading Challenge

2026 Reading Challenge

Review Scale

Blog Archive