A Dangerous Interest by Angela Stranger

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lord Andrew Pine decides to forgo squandering family funds to make a fortune in banking—otherwise known to high society as trade. To keep his promise to his mother, he becomes a silent partner to keep the family name out of the business.

When the Duke of Hartwick considers investing, he sends his sister, Lady Jane, to inspect the ledgers. Andrew quickly finds himself distracted by Lady Jane, who proves both intelligent and beautiful.

The story shifts at the Langmores’ annual house party, where the host is poisoned and Andrew's co-partner is shot. Lord Andrew and Lady Jane team up to stop a bank run and uncover why someone wants the institution destroyed.

I deduced the culprit near the end, but the ultimate motive was a sad, genuine surprise. Regardless, the chemistry between the leads carries the story, turning a plot about balance sheets and murder into a solid financial mystery.

 

Taming the Grumpy Hockey Player By Giana Ward

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Undone by Love

This story is a delight—a classic masterclass in mistaking pure attraction for annoyance.

When Lucy and Logan are forced to join forces for the community and the team, their friction turns into common ground and a real mutual understanding. I knew I needed to read this book the moment I heard "Undone," the song written specifically for this story. Gianna Ward creates a track for each of her books, and this one hits the mark: it captures how Lucy unravels Logan.

It is a great ride watching a guarded hockey player get completely undone by Lucy’s light.

A Native Under the Widow's Roof (Hearts Across the West) by Ruby Westbrook

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Catching Love on the Riverbank

When Daisy pulls a half-drowned man out of the river and drags him back to her ranch, she expects to nurse a stranger back to health—not find a man who will stand between her and danger.

Will might be fighting his own battles, but when Daisy is threatened, his protective instincts kick in. The only problem? Her quiet compassion is far harder to defend against than any threat on the frontier, slowly tearing down the walls he built around his heart. Daisy feels safer with Will around, but as their connection grows, the outside world comes calling. Between the shadows of Daisy’s past and the reality of Will’s heritage, their fledgling love is put to the test.

At its heart, this is a solid, deeply satisfying frontier romance about two resilient souls overcoming external forces to build a life together and keep the home fires burning. Highly recommended for fans of heartfelt Western romance!

A Viscountess for the Scarred Highlander by AMANDA SEABROOK

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a powerful story about how grief can trap us, turning into a prison we cannot unlock on our own.

To soften his reputation as the local "monster," His Grace decides to buy himself a bride. However, when he arrives for the wedding, he finds his intended bride dead. He quickly renegotiates for her elder widowed sister—driven by the realization that her five-year-old son, Felix, desperately needs protection.

Four weeks later, secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and young Felix stands to pay the ultimate price unless the couple can find a way forward together.

While the story drags a bit at first and feels heavy due to the initial focus on hate and grief, it gains momentum as the characters begin to find their way out of the darkness.

A Chance of a Lifetime (The Chances Book 14) by Emily E K Murdoch,

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Whimsical and Comedic Romp
This is a delightful, lighthearted story about Michael, a Viscount’s heir who wants nothing more than to immigrate and run away from his heavy family responsibilities. Along the way, he crosses paths with Phylis, a capable woman sea captain who finds herself falling for the wildly handsome heir. However, Phylis initially pushes him away—she has little patience for a man who refuses to appreciate his immense privilege and family blessings.
Driven by his attraction to Phylis, Michael makes a genuine effort to learn about her and adapt to life on a ship. Unsurprisingly, he is completely useless at hard physical labor, but he makes up for it with plenty of charm and an undeniable knack for pleasing a woman.
As the two naturally fall in love, it becomes clear just how good of a match they are—mostly because Michael desperately needs someone grounded to take care of him. It is a well-written, cheerful, and thoroughly enjoyable romance that makes for a great read.

An Offer by the Beastly Duke (Hidden with the Duke Book 4) by Ava MacAdams,

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heartwarming Historical Romance
This is a thoroughly romantic historical romance that brings a fresh, grounded spin to the classic Beauty and the Beast trope.
Lady Penelope is a widow doing everything in her power to protect her young son from her vile brother-in-law, Charles. Charles is a villain through and through—essentially a ruthless Gaston, but far worse—who wants to take away her son and force Penelope into becoming his mistress. Seeking safety, Penelope moves near the estate of Malcolm, the Duke of Brigrock. Malcolm is a large, heavily scarred war veteran who deliberately lives as a recluse to avoid society.
The connection begins simply when Penelope’s son repeatedly sneaks onto the Duke’s property to play with his dog. Once Malcolm discovers the dangerous blackmail Penelope faces, he steps in. He first offers to mentor the boy, but as Charles grows increasingly aggressive, Malcolm takes a bold step and proposes marriage to offer legal protection.
From there, Malcolm works hard to truly win Penelope’s heart. He does not rely on empty gestures; instead, he completely secures her love by genuinely loving and protecting her son. It is a wonderfully satisfying, emotional story with strong characters and a hero you cannot help but root for.

The Librarian of a Lyon The Lyon’s Den Connected World by Linda Rae Sande

A Matchmaker and a Bookish Earl
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A thoroughly entertaining exploration of the perils and perks of matchmaking.
Our protagonist, an Earl in desperate need of a hefty dowry, has very specific standards: his future Countess must be a bluestocking or a librarian, as he cannot endure the chatter of simpering debutantes. Lacking the funds for a proper matchmaker, fate intervenes when the formidable Mrs. Dove-Lyon contacts him regarding an outstanding debt.
Upon leaving their meeting, he wanders into a local bookstore and encounters Miss Kingston. It is love at first sight for the Earl, and once he discovers his matchmaker has paired him with that very same lady, he is entirely sold. Miss Kingston is similarly captivated—right up until she discovers his title. Her father, meanwhile, is simply delighted to have her off his hands and out of the house.
The characters feel fresh and play their roles admirably well. A charming, witty read where a good time is had by all—including this reader.