Sophie Reads YA

2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: The Proposal (The Survivors' Club #1) by Mary Balogh

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The Proposal
Series: The Survivors' Club #1
Author: Mary Balogh
Published May 1st 2012 by Piatkus Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Lady Gwendoline Muir has experienced her fair share of tragedies in her short life: she lost her husband to a freak accident, and developed a limp after falling from horseback. Still young, Gwen is sure that she's done with love, and that she will never be married again.

Gwen tries to be content with her life as it is, and to live through the happy marriages of her brother and her best friend, Viscountess Ravensberg. She's happy for them, and for years that is enough for her . . . until she meets Lord Tretham - a man who returned from the Peninsula Wars a hero, but is unable to escape the bite of his survivor's guilt. For he might just be the man who can convince her to believe in second chances.
Goodreads

Review
In The Proposal, Lady Gwendoline Muir finds herself injured while explored a Cornish beach, and rescued by the handsome, and troubled, Lord Tretham. While recovering, she finds that she is gatecrashing a meeting of the 'Survivors' Club', where a group of six men and one woman meet to reconnect after the difficulty they faced following their experiences in the Napoleonic Wars. Hugo, Lord Tretham, was a commoner, the son of a wealthy businessman, who was elevated because of his bravery during the war, but he's been left with emotional scars, and a dislike of the upper classes - his friends notwithstanding. He doesn't want to be attracted to a Lady such as Gwen, but it's a struggle to fight his feelings, one Gwen is fighting with too.

I haven't read any of Mary's books before, but have heard so many positive things about them, so was overjoyed to find this book in a local shop one day. The Proposal was such a quick read, with relatable and lovable characters, and I was hooked from page one. Gwen was widowed quite unexpectedly, and has always felt a sort of guilt over her husband's death, and the loss of her child, so hasn't put much thought to finding love again. Spending time with a friend from her debut, Viscountess Ravensberg, she needs to escape her friend's bitchiness and cattiness, and spends time on the beach, when she hurts her ankle, and Hugo rescues her and carries her off to the Duke of Stanbrook's estate. They clash from the very first, but the chemistry is clear, and the way their romance develops from begrudging respect, to true feelings, was a wonder to see. I am definitely hooked on the series, and can't wait to read the other books, and more by Balogh.

Dates Read:
September 20, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me by Olivia Hinebaugh

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The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me
Series: None
Author: Olivia Hinebaugh
Published January 22nd 2019 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Burke is the last person on the planet who should be doling out sex advice. For starters, she’s never even kissed anyone, and she hates breaking the rules. Up until now, she's been a straight-A music geek that no one even notices. All she cares about is jamming out with her best friends, Theo and Evita.

But then everything changes.

When Lacey sees first-hand how much damage the abstinence-only sex-ed curriculum of her school can do, she decides to take a stand and starts doling out wisdom and contraception to anyone who seeks her out in the girls' restroom. But things with Theo become complicated quickly, and Lacey is soon not just keeping everyone else’s secrets, but hers as well.
Goodreads

Review
Lacey Burke has never even kissed a guy, but she knows all about safe sex and healthy relationships because of her midwife mam making sure she's known since she was old enough. Her best friends, Evita and Theo, had a disastrous attempt at a relationship, but managed to stay friends through it all, but when the school's health class starts to give students unhelpful, and frankly, dangerous abstinence only sex education, the three decide they need to take a stand. Starting off with advice sessions in the girls bathroom, soon leads to pamphlets being made, condoms handing out, and a suspension in the works. Lacey also starts to reconsider her plans for the future, thinking that training to be a doula may be better than going to study music, and helping a former classmate through her own teen pregnancy is the jump she needs. Her conflicting feelings for Theo don't help matters either, but will Lacey's Senior year be as perfect as she was expecting?

This book was so sex positive and frankly, perfect for teens these days. I'm lucky that the school I went to, and the education system in my country, isn't outdated or spouts 'abstinence only' education, because that helps literally no one! Lacey was such a relatable main character, and I loved her friendship with everyone in the book, from Evita and Theo, to Alice, to Kelly and her mam at the hospital. The romance between herself and Theo was cute, but I would've liked a little more substance to it - but that's my only negative. Definitely a great YA contemporary!

Dates Read:
July 6-9, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

Bethany Bennett

Waiting On Wednesday: West End Earl (Misfits of Mayfair #2) by Bethany Bennett

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2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: Lily's Just Fine (Galloway Girls #1) by Gill Stewart

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Lily's Just Fine
Series: Galloway Girls #1
Author: Gill Stewart
Published July 11th 2019 by Sweet Cherry Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
Lily couldn’t have planned life better herself. She lives in the best house in town and she’s dating the most popular boy in school. Everything else she can fix. Mum’s apathy? On it! The stuffy gala committee? Watch this space!

Tom has enough on his plate without trying to drag Newton St Cuthbert into the 21st Century. His sister is sick and there’s nothing anyone can do. Not doctors, not his parents, and certainly not Lily Hildebrand.

Sail away this summer with the unexpected romance of Scotland's most determined teenager.
Goodreads

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

Lily is expecting her summer to be perfect, but when her boyfriend dumps her after prom, and she's left alone with her inattentive mother, she needs to find something to do. When it's revealed that the town gala needs some more volunteers, and there's no one under the age of 50 on the committee, Lily joins up, along with best friend, Gemma, and Gemma's neighbour, Tom. Lily wants to change it up, adding a regatta for the youngsters, a raft building competition, and making the parade much more inclusive, rather than there only being a Gala Queen. Tom has never really spoken to Lily, and except for her being Gemma's best friend, thought her to be a busybody, and annoying. He's dealing with his sister's diagnosed illness, and would rather spend his summer before sixth form relaxing and going out on the river. Lily won't expect no for an answer though, and it soon becomes obvious that there's an attraction between the two. Will their close proximity lead to romance, or is that too much to ask?

I can't even remember where I first saw this book, but decided to request a copy on NG when it became available. I've hardly ever read any YA books set in Scotland, and loved the setting for this book. Lily and Tom were alright main characters, both with their own flaws and difficulties, but real and exactly what I'd expect for two 16 years olds. The plot line of the town gala and it's many additions - courtesy of Lily's input - was definitely enjoyable, and I loved how it showed a different side of Lily to us. Because of the way her family were, she was basically left to her own devices at all times, and what others might see as her interfering was a coping mechanism for her to keep herself busy. Her mam is depressed, and I understand the way she was, but I sort of hated the way Lily's whole family left her. She's only 16, and is the only one who doesn't know about her mam's mental health history, but is expected to keep her safe while her dad and siblings are living away. Tom, too, has difficulties, as he tends to be ignored a lot in favour of his sister, who they think has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but it's never been fully diagnosed. Sarah wants to do as much as she can, but her parents really coddle her, and I wish they were a little more understanding of a 15 year old who wants to do things, even if it makes her tired.

The relationships in the both, both romantic and platonic, were wonderful. I liked Tom and Lily together, and seeing their ups and downs as they navigated their relationship was perfect! Gemma was a fantastic friend to them both, and I'm definitely intrigued about her, as she seems like she may have anxiety, or something, and I can't wait to read her book, Gemma's Not Sure.

Dates Read:
August 1-3, 2020

Rating
3 Stars

2020 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Always the Rival (Never the Bride #7) by Emily E.K. Murdoch

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Always the Rival
Series: Never the Bride #7
Author: Emily E.K. Murdoch
Published October 29th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Always the rival and never the bride—and this time, it's her own fault...

What had Miss Priscilla Seton been thinking? She had always assumed that Charles would stay the same forever, but bowing to familial wishes he is now engaged—and Priscilla is determined to sabotage the match. She has known him for all her twenty years, and he is hers.

But Charles Audley, Duke of Orrinshire, is facing pressures of his own. His marriage arranged for him, there's not a single day that goes by without him regretting Priscilla.

Of course, he could never say anything. His family honor is at stake, and he would never betray them—but letting off a little steam?

He's determined to have his cake and eat it. She's ready to rival any woman that comes into his life. Seduction isn't the problem—it's the pressure of family and commitment that threatens to destroy everything.

Is it possible for Priscilla to rival not just the perfect woman for Charles, but also his family?
Goodreads

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

Always the Rival sees a young lady realise her jealousy over her best friend's marriage not only be because their relationship will change, but because she is in love with Charles, Duke of Orrinshire. For Charles, he's not excited about the wedding, but all Orrinshire's before him had arranged marriages, and his mother is imploring him to marry the rich heiress, Miss Frances Lloyd. They've never really spoken, but the marriage is in a couple of months, and he's honour bound to see it through. While at the wedding of close friends, Priscilla discovers her own feelings for Charles, and plots to be a rival in his affections, and hopefully make him see her not as the young girl he's been friends with for years, but as someone who he desires, and wants to be with. Can Charles overcome his familial pressures to be with the woman he now knows he loves, or will he bow to tradition?

I have really liked the previous three books in this series, and while I was self isolating, and off work, this instalment became available to review, and I spent an entire morning reading it. Both Priscilla and Charles were enjoyable characters - we've previously met Charles in Always the Bluestocking - and their own histories, and shared experiences helped to cement their romance in my mind. Being neighbours, the two of them, and Charles' younger sister, Mary, were always together, and were inseparable, even more so after Mary's early death, while the two were grieving. I think because their friendship was so important to them both, they had never really considered their feelings towards the other, until the pressures began, and it seemed it might be too late. Both recognised their love for the other during the book, and the moments of revelation were a joy to read, especially when Charles realised he was in love with Priscilla, and not Frances. I found the inevitable moments of angst a little repetitive, and could've been avoided, but the conclusion was heartwarming, and all in all, another fabulous instalment of a wonderful series.

Dates Read:
October 17, 2020

Rating
3 Stars

May

Stacking the Shelves: May 15th 2021

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2021 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: Gone With the Rogue (First Comes Love #2) by Amelia Grey

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Gone With the Rogue
Series: First Comes Love #2
Author: Amelia Grey
Published April 28th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

Goodreads Synopsis
A powerful handsome rogue finally meets his match in Gone With the Rogue, the second book in the First Comes Love series from bestseller Amelia Grey.

She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love?

The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life―but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back in London, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.

Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand―how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?
Goodreads

Review
When she was young, Julia Fairbright eloped with lord Kitson, the son of the Duke of Sprogfield, and felt his ire as soon as they returned. Widowed while 8 months pregnant, she is now under the 'protection' - rather the control - of the Duke, who holds his guardianship of her son, Chatwyn, over her like the sword of Damocles. If she so much as steps a toe out of line from what he expects a prim and proper widow to do, he will take her boy, and she'll never see him again. The only freedom Julia has is at the school she set up with her friends, and fellow widows, Adeline, now Lady Lyonwood, and Mrs Brina Feld. Overhearing the Duke refer to his secret ownership of gaming hells and brothels, Julia needs to find the evidence in the London townhouse to confront him, and finally be free. Garrett Stockton has returned to London for the wedding of his friend, but as soon as he meets Julia - while she was caught in a tree no less - he's smitten. He wants to be with her, but she reveals the truth, and that she needs help. Will Garrett be able to help Julia, and Chatwyn, escape from the Duke's clutches, and find the evidence they need?

I really felt for Julia in this story. She was widowed while pregnant, and only had her son, and new friends, Adeline and Brina, to support her. The Duke was overbearing, and condescending, and never forgave Julia for 'seducing' his son, and would do everything in his power to make her suffer. It's only because opening the school would help make him look benevolent that he allowed Julia that concession, and that was her one lifeline. I absolutely despised the Duke, and was glad he got his comeuppance, because he really wasn't the pious figure he portrayed himself to be. Garrett was a traveller, who was in love with the sea, and never had had any wish to settle down, but meeting Julia made him start to consider it. And especially once he heard her predicament, and had already fallen for her, and would do just about anything - even going to the Prince Regent for support - to free Julia and Chatwyn once and for all. I loved the way he supported her, but allowed her to control what happened, and gave her the freedom of choice over her life, for the first time in her life. I didn't like this one as much as I did the first, but still found it such an enjoyable read, and can't wait to see more of them in Brina's story, How to Train Your Earl.

Dates Read:

February 14-15, 2021

Rating
4 Stars