Once Upon a Moonlit Night by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Once Upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane #10.5)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 87

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

Hippolyta Royle is running for her life. Pursued by hounds on a cold rainy night, the heiress flags down a passing carriage and throws herself at the mercy of the coach's occupant. Whoever this handsome traveler may be, he is her only hope to escape a terrible fate. But should he agree to escort her to safety, he's in for much more than he bargained for . . .

At first Matthew Mortimer doesn't believe Hippolyta's story, that she's a fabulously wealthy heiress who's been kidnapped. He assumes she's a beggar, an actress, or worse. But once his new travel companion washes the mud from her surprisingly lovely face, and they share a breathtaking kiss, there is no turning back . . .

A fun little interlude story in the series that follows-up with what happened during Duke of Sin. I wish we would have been able to get more of Hippolyta’s story, but I guess this will have to do. At least we get a bit of a conclusion to the mystery blackmail from the Duke of Montgomery. To be honest, I loved Matthew much more than Hippolyta. Entertaining novella to add to the collection.

Maiden Lane

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Next up on the TBR pile:

Dangerous Women by Hope Adams

Title: Dangerous Women

Author: Hope Adams

Publisher: Berkley 2021

Genre: Historical Thriller

Pages: 334

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

London, 1841. One hundred eighty Englishwomen file aboard the Rajah, embarking on a three-month voyage to the other side of the world.
They're daughters, sisters, mothers—and convicts.
Transported for petty crimes.
Except one of them has a deadly secret, and will do anything to flee justice.
As the Rajah sails farther from land, the women forge a tenuous kinship. Until, in the middle of the cold and unforgiving sea, a young mother is mortally wounded, and the hunt is on for the assailant before he or she strikes again.
Each woman called in for question has something to fear: Will she be attacked next? Will she be believed? Because far from land, there is nowhere to flee, and how can you prove innocence when you’ve already been found guilty?

What a meh book… Seriously, I was just so incredibly bored. There’s a spark of a great story here in the actual history. After reading the author’s note, I was interested in learning more the real story of the women aboard the Rajah. It’s definitely a part of history that I know very little about. Unfortunately, the actual novel just doesn’t do the history justice. Out of the 200 women on the ship, we only get to know three of them and I didn’t really connect to any of those three women. I was just bored with this book. Definitely not for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Once Upon a Christmas Eve (Maiden Lane #10.7)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 85

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday---and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met . . .
Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Duke of Desire (Maiden Lane #12)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 308

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

A Lady of the Light Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping. Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos. When one of the masked---and nude!---Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him . . . only to find she may have been a trifle hasty. A Duke in Deepest Darkness Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them. Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans. But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe. Caught in a Web of Danger . . . And Desire Much to Raphael's irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involves herself in his life---and bed. Soon he's drawn both to her quick wit and her fiery passion. But when Iris discovers that Raphael's past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters. Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael's own demons?

CW: Rape, sexual assault, child abuse

A strong showing for the Maiden Lane with Raphael and Iris’s love story. I fell for Raphael after his appearance in the previous book. I desperately wanted to hear his story and find a conclusion to the Lords of Chaos storyline. We get both in this book, but with many many depressing and troubling scenes and stories. It was a bit hard to get through, especially when Raphael tells his story. The book was very dark. I have enjoyed the mysteries and adventures throughout the series, but this one really took it to a new level. Beyond those portions, I did enjoy watching Raphael and Iris fall in love. Their scenes were very steamy. Not my absolute favorite, but I really did enjoy this volume.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Duke of Pleasure (Maiden Lane #11)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 337

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

IN THE ARMS OF DANGER
Bold. Brave. Brutally handsome. Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle, is the king's secret weapon. Sent to defeat the notorious Lords of Chaos, he is ambushed in a London alley-and rescued by an unlikely ally: a masked stranger with the unmistakable curves of a woman.

IN THE HEAT OF DESIRE
Cocky. Clever. Courageously independent. Alf has survived on the perilous streets of St. Giles by disguising her sex. By day she is a boy, dealing in information and secrets. By night she's the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, a masked vigilante. But as she saves Hugh from assassins, she finds herself succumbing to temptation . . .

ONE KISS WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER
When Hugh hires Alf to investigate the Lords of Chaos, her worlds collide. Once Hugh realizes that the boy and the Ghost are the same, will Alf find the courage to become the woman she needs to be-before the Lords of Chaos destroy them both?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Maiden Lane series, but I just didn’t love this one. I did enjoy the larger mystery of the Lords of Chaos and the intrigues there. But I just didn’t connect to the romance between Alf and Hugh. There was too many questionable interactions involving consent. And then we get the whole High thinking Alf was a boy and then very quickly realizing that she wasn’t and engaging in a sexual relationship. I just couldn’t get behind their relationship Disappointing to me. And this was extra disappointing as it came after Valentine’s story that I absolutely adored. Things are looking up for the next book focused on the Duke of Dyemore.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane #10)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 369

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

A MAN OF SIN
Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR
Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH
Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . .

And the series has returned to the unbelievably steamy fun romp! I was intrigued by Valentine in the previous books and was so glad that he gets his own book! I absolutely fell for Val from the first chapter of this one (really from the last chapters of the previous book). I needed to see where Val’s journey led him and all the secrets of Bridget’s past. I’m so glad that Hoyt didn’t make Valentine a White Knight, but made his growth much more realistic to his original appearance. And Val definitely brought the steam factor. Oh goodness! He was so wicked! I loved very single minute of this book. I’m not sure any of the rest of the book will be able to top this one.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Librarian Tales by William Ottens

Title: Librarian Tales: Funny, Strange, and Inspiring Dispatches from the Stacks

Author: William Ottens

Publisher: Skyhorse 2020

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of librarian William Ottens’s experience working behind service desks and in the stacks of public libraries, most recently at the Lawrence Public Library in Kansas. In Librarian Tales, published in cooperation with the American Library Association, readers will learn about strange things librarians have found in book drops, weird and obscure reference questions, the stress of tax season, phrases your local librarians never want to hear, stories unique to children’s librarians, and more.

Ottens uncovers common pet peeves among his colleagues, addresses misguided assumptions and stereotypes, and shares several hilarious stories along the way. This book is must reading for any librarian, or anyone who loves books and libraries, though non-library folks will also laugh and cry (from laughing) while reading this lighthearted analysis of your local community pillar, the library.

I have followed Librarian Problems for years and was really looking forward to a fun look at libraries. I was here for all the fun stories and quirky situations. I was ready for the behind-the-scenes tour. Instead, I got a fairly boring look at how Ottens became a librarian and the various positions he held. It was more of a dry look at the organization structure of libraries than celebrating the weird. I was bored.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

Title: Across the Green Grass Fields (Wayward Children #6)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 176

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

“Welcome to the Hooflands. We’re happy to have you, even if you being here means something’s coming.”

Regan loves, and is loved, though her school-friend situation has become complicated, of late.

When she suddenly finds herself thrust through a doorway that asks her to "Be Sure" before swallowing her whole, Regan must learn to live in a world filled with centaurs, kelpies, and other magical equines―a world that expects its human visitors to step up and be heroes.

But after embracing her time with the herd, Regan discovers that not all forms of heroism are equal, and not all quests are as they seem…

I have absolutely loved the Wayward Children series, but this volume felt very disconnected and flat to me. I have loved the horror elements to previous volumes, but this one was a little too twee for me. I kept expecting Regan to encounter more creatures and adventures. Unfortunately it felt like the story went nowhere for 70% of the book. It didn’t really get interesting until she encountered the kelpie. I just would have liked more from this story. Here’s hoping the next volume brings back all the elements that I have loved.

Wayward Children

Next up on the TBR pile:

When He was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Title: When He was Wicked (Bridgerton #6)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Romance

Pages: 426

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; UnRead Shelf

In every life there is a turning point . . .

A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . ..

Another very enjoyable volume of the Bridgerton saga. I had been wondering about Francesca’s story since the first book. She always seemed to be the lost Bridgerton sibling. We finally get to understand her a little bit better and learn why she was in Scotland during most of the first few books. I loved Francesca and Michael’s relationship, but wished to have spent a bit more time with them after they got together. Plus, no epilogue! That was a bit disappointing. I always want just a little bit more. Only two more siblings to go and I’m hoping that their stories are interesting and romantic.

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile:

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

Title: Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Pages: 512

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Humans learn from their mistakes. I cannot. I make no mistakes.

The Thunderhead is the perfect ruler of a perfect world, but it has no control over the scythedom. A year has passed since Rowan had gone off grid. Since then, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent.

As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the “new order.” But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.

Old foes and new enemies converge, and as corruption within the Scythedom spreads, Rowan and Citra begin to lose hope. Will the Thunderhead intervene?

Or will it simply watch as this perfect world begins to unravel?

Finally got the second volume in the trilogy after purposefully giving it some time, and I sped through it. Multiple times I audibly gasped out loud. I am so glad that Citra and Rowan didn’t completely change their entire personalities, but did show growth and change. But my favorite parts of this volume were all the entries from the Thunderhead. I loved seeing inside the all-knowing being. Its thoughts on life, death, the scythedom, and the future of life on Earth. The action kept up throughout the book forcing me to turn the pages as fast I could. So good! And that twist at the end was a killer! I can’t wait to see how this story ends.

Arc of a Scythe:

#1 Scythe
#2 Thunderhead
#3 The Toll

Next up on the TBR pile:

Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger

Title: Confessions on the 7:45

Author: Lisa Unger

Publisher: Park Row 2020

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 315

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Currently Reading - Everyone Loves on Bookstagram

Selena Murphy is commuting home on the train when she strikes up a conversation with a beautiful stranger in the next seat. The woman introduces herself as Martha and soon confesses that she’s been stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, in turn, confesses that she suspects her husband is sleeping with the nanny. When the train arrives at Selena’s station, the two women part ways, presumably never to meet again.

Then the nanny disappears.

As Selena is pulled into the mystery of what happened, and as the fractures in her marriage grow deeper, she begins to wonder, who was Martha really? But she is hardly prepared for what she’ll discover…

This has really cemented the idea that I do not like thrillers. I’m just always so incredibly disappointed and the twists and turns seem so predictable. This particular book had too many coincidences for my taste. I just couldn’t get behind all the silly things characters, especially Selena, did throughout the story. I got to the end of the book and felt like I had wasted my time.

Next up on the TBR pile:

I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

Title: I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Author: Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 346

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Challenge

Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it's a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she's sure she even wants to go to college, but let's ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?

For Jessica, it's a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn't even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn't sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers--and two familiar enemies--Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.

A cute little story about a mother and daughter on an identity finding trip. Waxman has a breezy style of writing that sucks you into the story. The characters are definitely relatable and likable, even when they do something silly. I found so many interactions so familiar as a mother of teenagers. I don’t have a daughter, but many of the same things apply to sons. The storyline was propulsive. You just needed to see how this particular mother and daughter connected (or didn’t) through the trip. I liked the addition of the side characters. My favorites were Will and Casper. If you need a feel good story, pick this one up.

Next up on the TBR pile:

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Title: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton #5)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 426

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

She wrote him a letter...and he stole her heart.

Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more.

Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?

Another thoroughly enjoyable Regency romance! I had really enjoyed the glimpses of Eloise in the previous books so it was nice to read her story. Unlike the last book, we actually come to understand what each person sees in the other. I was invested in their romance. But the real star of the show was the twins Amanda and Oliver. I loved their interactions with Eloise so much! In addition to all that, we get appearances from Anthony, Benedict, Sophie, Colin, and Gregory. I don’t think this volume can top Anthony or Benedict’s stories, but I loved reading it.

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreaker #3)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 415

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Currently Reading - Reflects the Season

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone--even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series.

Argh! I absolutely adored the first book in the series and very much disliked the second one. I felt like all the characters completely lost all growth and their actions did not align with their motivations. Those same issues continue into the last book in the trilogy. I was so incredibly annoyed by Rhen and Grey and their constant ultimatums and black-and-white view on the situations. Harper and Lia Mara fare much better, but they still annoyed me so much. I just wanted everyone to take a breath and think about what they were doing and who they were doing it to. But no. They just keep barreling through making the same mistakes over and over again. Plus, I very much disliked the rushed feeling of the conclusion. I don’t need a drawn out resolution, but this one just felt like we don’t get anything to explain. So does Harper stay in Emberfall? Is Rhen going to be Grey’s advisor only? Where does he live? Are Lia Mara and Grey going back to Syhl Shallow or staying in Emberfall? Too many unresolved questions. Disappointing.

Cursebreaker Series

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

Title: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Author: Lori Nelson Spielman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 378

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project; UnRead Shelf Reading Challenge - Recent Acquisition

Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.

Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

I had such high hopes for this book and it just fell flat for me. Most of the book is set in modern times and full of what seemed to be a travelogue for Italy. That’s fine, but it didn’t really grab my attention. I really fell for the chapters detailing the romance between Poppy and Rico. I wanted a book just of them. Emilia and Lucy were complete wet blankets in comparison. I just couldn’t seem to get myself to root for either of them. So, I wasn’t super excited about the book and then we get to the revelations and secrets about Poppy and Rosa. And I wanted to throw the book across the room. I was so incredibly mad at Rosa and her entire attitude and actions throughout the story. And we don’t really get any real apology from her. For that matter, I was very disappointed that Emilia’s sister never truly apologies for her behavior toward Emilia. For a book that was touted as being full of family and forgiveness, I felt it was sorely lacking in the forgiveness part. Boring.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane #9)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; Unread Shelf

SHE'S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London's premier pleasure garden, Harte's Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can't be controlled.

HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW
Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn't have time for a penny-pinching prude like Eve. As the garden's larger-than-life owner, he's already dealing with self-centered sopranos and temperamental tenors. He's not about to let an aristocratic woman boss him around . . . no matter how enticing she is.

BUT LOVE CONQUERS ALL
In spite of her lack of theatrical experience-and her fiery clashes with Asa-Eve is determined to turn Harte's Folly into a smashing success. But the harder she tries to manage the stubborn rake, the harder it is to ignore his seductive charm and raw magnetism. There's no denying the smoldering fire between them-and trying to put it out would be the greatest folly of all . . .

Another very enjoyable volume in the Maiden Lane series. We finally, finally get to see more of Asa Makepeace. What we saw was enjoyable but not to the level of my favorite male leads from the series. Beyond Asa, I was pretty lukewarm on Eve. She just didn’t have enough to her to make me really love her. I would have like to have seen more discussions between her and Asa, but alas, we get a lot of weird sexual encounters. I wasn’t really here for their steamy scenes. They didn’t feel all that steamy to me. I enjoyed the book, but this isn’t going into my Top 3 for the series. I was intrigued with the parts involving Bridget Crumb and the Duke of Montgomery’s house. I cannot wait to read their story next!

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Title: Know My Name

Author: Chanel Miller

Publisher: Penguin Books 2020

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford's campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral--viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time.

Now she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words. It was the perfect case, in many ways--there were eyewitnesses, Turner ran away, physical evidence was immediately secured. But her struggles with isolation and shame during the aftermath and the trial reveal the oppression victims face in even the best-case scenarios. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life.

This was such a difficult book to read, but it was so incredibly good. The chapters are a very detailed account of Miller’s experience. I ended up finishing the book but had to take a break after each chapter. I wasn’t quite that surprised by anything that happened her to her, but it still make me absolutely full of rage.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Dearest Rogue (Maiden Lane #8)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 353

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

HE CAN GUARD HER
Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.

FROM EVERY DANGER
Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.

BUT PASSION ITSELF
Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.

Captain Trevillion has been an intriguing figure for the entire series. I’m so glad he got his own book and romance. And I have liked Phoebe since she was introduced. I am less enamored with the two of them together. I would have liked a bit more talking and exploration of past events and wanted futures. At times, their relationship felt a bit too paternal on his part. They come together in the end. Plus, I really loved seeing James’s family and meeting Agnes in particular. The best part were the chapter featuring the Duke of Montgomery. I’m very intrigued by him. He reminds me of Lord Caire from the first book. Maybe his story will get a 5 star rating from me. For this book, I still really love the entire series and felt that this book was a very enjoyable volume (but Captain Trevillion can’t beat Lord Caire or the Duke or Wakefield or Winter Makepeace).

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djeli Clark

Title: The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (Fatma el-Sha'arawi #2)

Author: P. Djeli Clark

Publisher: Tor.com 2019

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 116

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Cairo, 1912: The case started as a simple one for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities — handling a possessed tram car.

Soon, however, Agent Hamed Nasr and his new partner Agent Onsi Youssef are exposed to a new side of Cairo stirring with suffragettes, secret societies, and sentient automatons in a race against time to protect the city from an encroaching danger that crosses the line between the magical and the mundane.

I picked this up as a free ebook from Tor.com. I also remember seeing it on one of the various book blogs I follow and had added it to my TBR at some point. This is a delightful little adventure story featuring some Ministry Agents, a mysterious entity haunting a tram, and a variety of interesting side characters. We’re dropped right into the action, but I quickly caught onto the story and the world. It’s a great mix of supernatural and true history of Cairo. I sped through this short story, but loved every page of it. Such fun! And I piqued my interest in reading more from Clark.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Darling Beast (Maiden Lane #7)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; Unread Shelf

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .
Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown's soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he's quickly driven to distraction . . .

A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .
London's premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she's forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren't the only inhabitants-a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there's more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES
Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he's forced to make a choice: his love for Lily . . . or the explosive truth that will set him free.

Another successful historical romance in the series. This isn’t my favorite in the series, but I still really really enjoyed this one. Apollo and Lily are great characters and I loved watching them fall for each other despite all the obstacles in their way. I still love that this series adds in a bit of external conflict. That bit of extra really adds to the layer. These books are much less whiny than other historical romances I’ve read. The steamy scenes in this one are definitely very steamy. Just how I like them. I sped read this one in less than two days, but I’m really excited to read the Captain and Phoebe’s book next.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile: