A Duke for the Unseen Wallflower: (No Longer Invisible Book 1) by Martha Barwood

 

Rating: ⭐⭐
Excellent Plot Dragged Down by Repetitive Dialog
The plot and storyline are excellent, but the book is a redundant read due to the dialog. The back-and-forth between the two main characters—both on the spectrum—becomes endless and repetitive.
Charlotte is invisible to everyone until they need help and hates crowds, while the Duke hides away to avoid small talk. Their meeting in a hidden room leads to Charlotte solving a complex ledger fraud that the Duke’s own accountants couldn’t figure out. It’s great seeing two wallflowers find love, but if the Duke wanted her, he shouldn't have had to play the games this story puts them through. Both characters take time to realize their feelings, but letting outside influences dictate their relationship comes at an unreasonable cost for people who supposedly love each other.
Great storyline, but the repetitive dialogue really holds it back.

One Dreams: (Silas McKay Suspense Series Book 6) by Luana Ehrlich

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Action-Packed with Great Character Dynamics
Silas promises a client he'll find out who is following him, only to have the man turn up dead the next morning. As he investigates Elias's death, Silas has to juggle Ashley hassling him about her new business issues, introducing Lillian to her new job while learning to work alongside her, and making time for a weekend visit with his daughter Marissa—which Ashley pushes her way into.
It's an action-packed adventure, but the true hero in this story is Tyler Hudson, the finance director at DCSS, who discovers the key financial clues that uncover the murderer.
I'm happy with the direction Silas's love life is starting to take, because I'm hoping he realizes Ashley isn't the mature and generous person he needs. Her actions in this novel are self-serving, showing no consideration for his time or how he's doing. Lillian, on the other hand, is mature, generous, and considerate—which really shows in her actions toward Elias's wife after the shooting.
Regardless of my personal feelings on the characters, it's an excellent read.

The Spy's Song (The Swans of Paris Book 3) by Giovanna Siniscalchi

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Spy’s Redemption on the Battlefield of Love
This is a deep and moving tale following Robert de Monfort, a dual spy for both England and France, who is tasked by Talleyrand with retrieving Louise Bonnecheix—née Bonaparte—Napoleon’s daughter from his first marriage. What begins as a high-stakes kidnapping to return Louise to her father becomes a perilous trek from London across the Channel, through France, and into Brussels on the eve of battle. Along the way, Louise proves herself every bit a Bonaparte, matching the danger of their journey with true grit.
Having believed his soul died with his sister's suicide, Robert finds himself utterly unmoored by his growing feelings for Louise. He cannot fathom why his heart and body now beat only for her, until he discovers that even a hardened intelligence officer cannot guard against love. The narrative shines as love releases the spy's long-silent song, delivering a beautifully written romance rich with history, danger, and deep emotional resonance.

A Wallflower for the Disguised Earl by DAPHNE PIERCE

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Background Check

Sometimes a story just has a terrible plot, and this is one of them. To be honest, it tells me what type of man Edward really is, and I would never trust him. He is supposed to be courting one sister, only to fall for Corinna—the plain bluestocking who spends her energy getting to know what she thinks is the Earl’s secretary, who is actually the Earl himself.

The story is well written and the characters are well developed, but that cannot overcome the awful plot. My only advice is to do a background check before beginning a relationship.

A Native Remedy for the Doctor's Heart by LESLIE HALES

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Greed, Remedy, and Ruin

The story is intense. The Native American community’s problems stem from one man’s greed. A doctor brought in by this man is amazed when her remedy cures a condition he cannot treat. He falls in love with her nursing skills and realizes the community poses no threat to the townspeople. It is a well-written story with a few flaws and an overwritten villain. Prejudice is everywhere, but nothing drives it more than pure greed for their land.

OWNED BY THE SCARRED LAIRD A MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL THE HIGHLAND CONTRACTS BOOK ONE by MADDIE MACKENNA

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Duty, Porridge, and Unexpected Desire

Chloe’s life was predictable enough as a maid—until her cruel and controlling father resurfaced, used her to clear his debts, and handed her off to a Scottish Laird. Suddenly thrust into a grand castle where her old identity no longer fits, Chloe refuses to mope. Instead, she sets out to make herself useful, staging a quiet takeover of the castle kitchen and stepping up to care for the Laird's orphaned nephew.

Laird Edward brought Chloe home purely out of duty to his clan and to raise his brother’s bairn. What he didn't plan for was falling for her. Watching her turn his cold estate into a home and care for the child, every detail of her well-being quickly becomes his sole concern.

At its core, this story is a reminder that while life rarely goes according to plan, embracing the unexpected turns can lead straight to genuine happiness. A sweet, heartwarming read about finding where you truly belong.

A BABY FOR THE DUKE: REGENCY WAYS TO STEAL A KISS BOOK TWO SALLY VIXEN

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Witty Romance with an Annoying Hero
Lenora writes a scandalous letter on a dare and ends up mistaken for a baby’s mother. After dinner with the Duke of Thornton, the gossip sheets declare the baby hers, forcing a marriage. Lenora draws a hard line: no sleeping together until she falls in love. The Duke gives her seven days—and then spends his time hiding in a tree rather than actually courting her.

The book is witty and the characters are memorable, but the story drags while the Duke stubbornly avoids getting to know his wife or taking part in the baby’s life. When he finally reveals he feels unlovable, it hits close to home—we’ve all felt that way. But love isn't something you have to prove you deserve; it’s a gift given freely.
A sharp, entertaining romance, even if the Duke takes way too long to grow up.