A Lady's Marriage of Prudence by Emily Barnet

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cecilia accepts an advantageous marriage, a practical sacrifice for her family's financial stability. What she finds in the Baron is not a distant husband, but an intelligent, formidable peer. The two meet instantly on an intellectual plane, a profound engagement that immediately surprises Gideon.

From this unexpected intellectual tandem, a powerful partnership emerges, one that allows them to run Gideon’s estate with a rare and satisfying equality. Cecilia approaches his history of emotional scars and war issues with a blend of unflinching compassion and keen practicality, never faltering.

This may begin as a marriage of convenience, but it evolves into a true alliance—meeting not only intellectual and societal expectations, but fulfilling emotional needs neither expected to find. This deepening connection is the final, astonishing surprise for Gideon, one that meets more than he ever dared expect.

This is an excellent read, rich in dialogue that explores the complexity of duty and intellect. (Be warned: the deep intellectual phrasing may slow the pace for those expecting light prose.)

My unwanted Duchess by Rose Collins

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story takes on a strange quality as Lord Asquith goes from proclaiming love and devotion to demanding obedience after they have a conversation with the Duke of Belton. Even after Lady Charlotte is forced to marry the Duke of Belton, the man continues to try to get Charlotte to annul her marriage when in Regency times only the man could set the wife aside or he does not do his duty in six months time, then the wife can annul the marriage through a strenuous pr and undergo examination by a doctor to prove her innocence. 

A Baby to Tame the Scarred Rancher by Lorelei Brogan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This isn't your usual sun-drenched western romance. This story digs deep, dragging us into a world far uglier than the backdrop suggests.

It immediately grips you with two deeply wounded souls: a woman, Millie, abused and exploited by her evil stepfather, and a scarred rancher, Cole, cruelly branded "the beast" by a vicious community because of the burn marks on his face. The town itself is a cesspool of cruelty, ruled by a chief villain—the mayor—who wields his power ruthlessly.

Millie's defiant act of kindness—refusing to surrender a baby she found—gets her tossed out into the harsh wilderness. Desperate, she seeks refuge and a job as a cook at Cole's ranch, baby in tow.

What follows is an explosive adventure. The town is spiraling into chaos, fueled by unhinged greed, murderous schemes, and the wickedness of a truly dark grandfather.

Corral your cattle and ride the range into this adventure—it's one that will truly challenge and possibly mend your heart.

The Duchess Project by Hazel Linwood

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which boasts witty conversation and two delightful main characters. Lavinia is intelligent and kind, yet her family is incredibly one-sided, preferring her sister Edwina. I particularly dislike when families fail to recognize the unique qualities of each of their children. The plot takes off when Lavinia saves the Duke from being trapped into a marriage. To thank her, he decides to help her find a suitable husband—only to fall in love with her himself! The story is well-written and well worth a read.

Lady Scarlett’s Mysterious Driver by Alice Kirk

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'll award this one a respectable four stars, purely on the strength of its wonderful characters and the glorious assurance that everyone manages to secure their Happily Ever After (or, for the lucky blackguard, avoid a stint in Newgate). The plot is admittedly cagey, serving primarily to support this delightful Cinderfella inversion, where the hero ascends above his station to claim his Lady.

However, we must address the rather large, poorly-tied bow in the drawing-room: Not only should that driver have been instantly dismissed upon discovery, but the entire deception is utterly reliant on the dissolute Duke being astonishingly oblivious. He is actively trying to claim his half-brother's inheritance through deceit, all while employing the very man he’s attempting to fleece! An HEA for the couple, yes, but only at the expense of common sense and the total annihilation of Regency societal norms.

The Highlander Steals a Virgin: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance (Highland Surrender Book 1) by Maddie Mackenna

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a grand highland adventure with two characters who positively spark off each other. It takes you on a thrilling journey of love, betrayal, and, most of all, family.

The only notable flaw is the timeline jump between the O'Donnell and Murdoch castles. That specific stretch took away from some of the suspense regarding what happened with Finn and the desperate flight back to the stronghold.

The central hook is brilliant: what do you do when you capture someone for ransom and the father simply says, "I don't care. Kill her!" The author's answer is obvious in this scenario, but the potential ways that could have gone kept me guessing.

I loved Amara right away; she is no simpering lass, but strong and opinionated as they come, and Rhys is absolutely in for the time of his life.

The Duke's Loveless Bargain, Marriage & Duty by Dorothy Sheldon

Rating: ⭐⭐️⭐⭐⭐

This starts off with a rather cold and unemotional man who needs to marry and he marries a woman whose father has died and left their family destitute. To convince the woman to marry him, he offers marriage and writes off the debts owed to him and pays off the rest of her father's debts. As the story unfolds, we find that the Duke has closed off  his emotions, and wants to live a reclusive life. His choice of sister is his own because he does feel he could not abide a seventeen year old girl. He wants Margaret because she is quiet and more mature. Margaret does everything she can to protect her younger sister. As Jasper exposes his secrets; I find a story of mysterious intrigue, evil machinations and the ignorant abuse of children who aren’t the typical normal. It’s a story of how love will heal the most damaged of hearts and lets a bonded love conquer evil at its very heart.