A Question of Worth: A Regency Romance (The Warrington Bequests Book 1) By Rose Pearson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Overdone Scandal, Weak Plot

Let us be entirely candid: this storyline requires a level of emotional endurance that even the most seasoned observer of high society might find taxing.

The premise begins innocently enough—a young woman inherits a staggering fortune from a late society matron she met precisely once. Naturally, the ton reacts with its customary grace and composure: by completely losing its collective mind. Rather than chalking it up to the eccentricities of wealthy widows, the aristocracy immediately paints our heroine as a calculating fortune hunter, unleashing absolute ruin upon her reputation. Worse still, she is left to face this pack of rabid wild dogs utterly unprotected. Her father, a selfish drunk and a gambler, cares far more for his next wager than the safety or honor of his own daughter.

Enter our lone savior, the Viscount. While he is arguably the only gentleman who manages to keep his head above the hysteria—gallantly stepping in to help uncover why Lady Warrington left the funds—his sudden heroic omnipotence at the climax feels entirely unearned. He carries himself with grand authority, but one suspects he lacks the actual power to single-handedly tame such a vicious mob.

What makes the book so frustrating is its relentless cruelty. It tries so hard to dismantle the aristocracy that it leaves the reader thoroughly drained. A story can certainly harbor dark turns, but tearing down good people without a proper reprieve isn't good drama—it is simply punitive. This narrative needed far more work before being unleashed upon the public.

Forced to Marry the Highland Duke by Daisy Rosewood

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

This is a delightfully engaging tale filled with all the ingredients of a proper Regency romp, though the 'ton' would surely fan themselves standard-issue at the scandal of it all.

I found myself cheering wholeheartedly for Beatrice from the outset. After all, every woman deserves the autonomy to choose her own husband—a notion that predictably sent her aunt and cousin-by-marriage into a absolute tailspin. When Beatrice settles on the very gentleman caught with her at a ball, ruining her reputation in one fell swoop, he naturally steps up. Honor demands he make things right, but rather than rushing for a special license, Alexander takes the delightfully patient route: courting his betrothed over the three weeks while the banns are read, falling head over heels for her in the process.

Then comes the drama. The spiteful duo against the union plot to kidnap Beatrice on her wedding day, though Julian harbors a far more sinister scheme. What follows is a thrilling race against time, a brilliant adventure that keeps you hooked on the what, where, and why.

Where the story stumbles slightly, however, is Beatrice’s frustrating streak of indecision. She wanders back and forth emotionally, requiring Alexander to endlessly offer reassurance. It becomes downright taxing to watch her constantly question his character based on whatever fresh lie Julian has whispered in her ear. After the first deception, one would think she’d learn to tune Julian out entirely. More to the point: why on earth would you trust the word of a man you refused to marry because you didn't trust him? It's a glaring flaw in her logic, and I only wish Alexander had called her out on it instead of playing the saintly redeemer every single time.

The Devil You Know by Sophia Holloway

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Faced with the bleak choice between marrying the Duke of Ledbury or testing the cold charity of the cobblestones, Catherine wisely chooses the altar. Who wouldn’t? But while she surrenders her hand, she vows to hold fast to her heart—a sensible defense given that Ledbury is a rake of the highest, most dazzling order.
Ledbury entered this union strictly for Catherine’s dowry, only to run headlong into a most inconvenience complication: he actually fancies his new Duchess.
Our dashing hero falls just as delightfully as he shines, and to his credit, he tries desperately to play the dutiful husband. But the ton, naturally, refuses to let a good drama go to waste. Between an old flame practically hurling herself into his lap—and falsely claiming his paternity for good measure—and a rogue of the realm making eyes at his wife, Ledbury’s past seems hell-bent on incinerating his future.
Grab a seat and join the fray, my dear readers, because in matters of the heart and the scandal sheet, the devil you know is always better than the one you don’t.

Witnesses: Nine Stories From The Margins Of The Gospels By Mike Casper

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

These nine fictional tales offer an intimate peek into the lives of those fortunate enough to witness—and receive—the miraculous. Each story paints a remarkably human portrait of Jesus, capturing the sheer variety of ways our hearts respond when confronted with divine grace: some eagerly follow, some linger in quiet contemplation, and others rush off to spread the glorious news.

One particularly poignant entry sees a man instructed simply to return home to his family after a long absence—a gentle, thoughtful reminder that the Lord knows our true needs far better than we do.

While scripture leaves the intimate details of these ancient healings to our imagination, this collection provides a fresh, delightfully unexpected perspective well worth contemplating. Now, I must confess, there are two stories where the author’s perspective feels a tad off the mark—though who am I to judge another’s creative liberties? It is merely a modest personal opinion. On the whole, it is a deeply engaging collection that gives us all something truly meaningful to ponder and share.

Forbidden Love and Thunder by Madeline Thornton

Frontier Romp That Overstays Its Welcome
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I take no pleasure in admitting this—as a well-documented devotee of a lively Regency romp—but transplanting the genre to the Western frontier simply does not work.
The story glibly glosses over serious historical realities, including the displacement of the Cherokee, through a heroine whose sole personality trait is chasing Elijah. She remains bafflingly oblivious to McAllister, a man who courts her one minute and wreaks havoc the next.
While the narrative opens with promise, the pacing quickly unravels. The timeline jolts wildly—snapping forward before grinding to a halt—leaving me astonished to learn two months had passed when it felt like three weeks. Worse, the delightful happily ever after refuses to know when to take its leave. Once the villain is arrested and the baby is delivered, the tension evaporates completely, leaving six agonizing chapters of post-climax drift.
Abby and Elijah may have found their happily-ever-after, but six chapters of victory laps is a trial for the rest of us. Sometimes, less is decidedly more.

The Midwife’s Forbidden Captor By Madeleine Thornton

High Action, Hard-to-Buy Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story takes some heavy turns along a fairly loose plot line. When Lottie gets kidnapped by the town’s handsome stranger, Jack, things escalate fast: Jack’s outlaw father forces her to deliver his wife’s baby under threat of death. Deciding he has finally had enough of the criminal life, Jack turns on his father to help the sheriff dismantle the gang. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan, building to a genuinely exciting climax.
Where the story stumbles for me is the romance itself. Lottie’s quick path to a happily ever after feels a bit too much like Stockholm syndrome to truly buy into, leaving the central connection feeling more forced than earned. A fast-paced read with solid action, but the romantic payoff falls short.

An Orphan in the Bounty Hunter's Arms By Madeline Thorton

 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bounty Hunter's Baby
A bounty hunter, a rescue, and a web of secrets—this story hits the ground running.
Luke tracks an outlaw when a letter from Mary, a friend from his orphanage days, alters his course. He arrives to rescue her son from a burning house after outlaws torch the farm, though Mary does not survive. Luke takes the boy to the next town and meets Clara, the local general store owner. As Clara cares for the boy, she finds herself falling for Luke.
The book moves beyond a standard romance with its mystery. Luke realizes the outlaw attacks are not random—they follow a pattern and a purpose. As the story builds to its conclusion, the motives unravel to reveal the man behind the attacks. It is a solid, well-plotted read from start to finish.

A Mail-Order Beauty to Heal the Beast By Madeleine Thornton

Summerset Stand
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The local town villain has decided certain folks simply don't belong in Summerset, and he’s pursuing this agenda via the usual high-minded methods: raiding ranches, blowing up mines, and ignoring the body count trailing behind him.
Unfortunately for him, Theodore Caden isn't packing his bags.
After losing his original fiancée—who apparently drew the line at mine-explosion burn scars—Theo decides a mail-order bride is his next best move. Enter Amy: a woman arriving with a dream of farming, a work ethic to match, and the reasonable expectation of an actual partnership.
Things get off to a rocky start. Theo plays the standoffish brooder because Amy flinched at scars she wasn't warned about. But Amy isn't one to waste time pining in a corner; she confronts him directly, demands transparency, and lays down a sharp ultimatum: they work as real partners, or she walks in thirty days. Ball's in your court, Theo.
Naturally, town bully Henry Penrose can’t leave well enough alone. But while watching the ranch is one thing, kidnapping Amy is where he makes his fatal miscalculation. What follows is a satisfying, high-energy climax featuring a twist I always love to see: a community finally deciding enough is enough and uniting to tear down the local tyrant.
Ride a horse. Stamp out bullies. A thoroughly satisfying read.

The Earl's Unexpected Family by BRIDGET BARTON

Master Manipulation and Regency Malice at Its Finest

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easily one of Bridget Barton’s best. She turns emotional bullying into a fine art—between a father’s quiet cruelty and a society darling whose backhanded concern is pure poison. It’s manipulation at its peak: all razor-sharp, lethal implications.

Shadrack is honorable to a fault, though he has a tragic habit of jumping to conclusions—poor Adele is tried and convicted before anyone checks the facts. The climax caught me completely off guard, casting a stark light on the shadow lingering over their marriage. Worth reading for that explosive payoff alone.

The Wicked Duke’s Wallflower (Duke Hunt Book 4) by Belle Lovatt

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clarity, Control, and a Lesson Learned
I went into this wanting to champion Blanche, but good heavens—there were times she bit off her own nose just to spite her face. Her determination to be her own woman is admirable, but a working marriage is a two-way street, a truth even our resident control freak of a Duke had to learn the hard way.
To be clear, Heath isn’t wicked. He is simply a master manipulator who demands the world cater to him and insists on controlling every narrative—his fatal error being an attempt to orchestrate the terms of Blanche's father’s return.
Ironically, the best thing Blanche learns from Heath is how to step back and assess a situation with clear objectivity. Once Heath gives her the space to speak with her father on her own terms, the scales drop from her eyes. She is able to see both her husband and her father for who they truly are—flaws, egos, and all. After all, it is only with clarity that any of us can perceive the whole story.

Marriage Deal with a Cold Viscount by Elizabeth Everly

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unraveling the Secrets
Amelia finds herself with nothing on the day of her uncle's will reading, as the document has disappeared and left everything in the hands of her cousin, Frederick. Enter Lord Strathmore—a man who cannot resist a good puzzle. He agrees to help her search for the truth.
Their investigation starts with corrupt clerks at the lawyer's office and leads straight to a break-in at Frederick's home. Finding the will is only the first step; the document itself contains a coded message pointing to her uncle's cause of death. The clues are left specifically for Amelia, but Strathmore stays by her side to help her decode them. Along the way, her resilience and curiosity win him over completely.
What starts as a search for an inheritance quickly turns into a full murder and embezzlement investigation. The layers of Frederick's cover-up keep the momentum strong, making it easy to keep turning the pages until every secret unravels.

Two Believe: A Silas McKay Suspense Book 2 of 5: Silas McKay Suspense Series by Luana Ehrlich

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Tightly Wound Case of Privilege and Principles
This second book hits its stride with high-stakes tension and sharp realism, taking Silas completely out of his usual DCSS corporate espionage territory. When his boss pushes him to investigate a high-end jewelry store theft, the assignment is delicate: all signs point to the landlord’s son, Todd, threatening to blow up a major business relationship and tarnish the store's elite reputation.
The investigation forces Silas to partner with Ashley, exposing a deep spiritual incompatibility between them. Yet, navigating her skepticism becomes the exact catalyst Silas needs; talking about his faith forces him to confront his own backtracking and pushes him to pray and make things right with God.
While the story is light on action, it relies heavily on tactical precision and sharp dialogue. The pacing builds perfectly to a satisfying trap after Silas and Ashley flip Todd’s accomplice for a full confession. Watching a rich kid get his comeuppance for thinking his daddy’s money makes him untouchable is incredibly gratifying. For readers looking for a clean, intelligent, and deeply grounded thriller, this is a must-read installment.

Five Alive A Silas McKay Suspense Book 5 by Luana Ehrlich

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best of the series 
This story is easily the best of the series, delivering high tension and tightly wound suspense from the very first page. The stakes are immediate as the team faces major friction going into the mission to retrieve the five hostages, but they absolutely come through in the end.
What elevates this installment is how it perfectly balances the high-stakes rescue with a deeper story of healing the past and looking to the future. Silas is forced to deal with a woman from his history, a reunion that completely changes how he has viewed his past with her. Meanwhile, a compelling secondary conflict emerges as Ashley builds her new company. Her decision to hire two veterans from DCSS leaves the boss absolutely furious, though strangely, Silas isn’t upset with her at all.
I do have to call out the elephant in the room: five books in, and I still just don't like Ashley. She feels like a bad fit for Silas. Someone like Lillian is much more his style, but the way this series is going, they will probably only end up as friends. For anyone looking for a clean, razor-sharp thriller with genuine emotional stakes, this is a must-read addition to the series.

The Carpenter’s Heart by Cherri Cain

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Beautiful Story of Worth and Dreams
This Christian romance is a poignant reminder that will bring tears to your eyes without being overly dramatic.
Bethany moves to Hartwell to open a Christian bookstore after walking away from a two-year engagement. Her fiancé wasn't abusive in the traditional sense, but his constant, subtle demeaning left her looking at herself in a wedding dress, unable to recognize the woman she had become. Enter Eli Parker, a man who walks past the empty storefront next door to Bethany's every day, dreaming of opening a woodworking shop. Bound by duty to support his mother and sisters, Eli has spent years making himself small, convinced he isn't worthy of his own aspirations.
When Eli steps in to help Bethany build her shop's shelves and counters, their connection forces both to confront their self-imposed limitations. The emotional turning point pivots on a profound piece of advice from Eli’s mother: “You can’t have the life you want if you don’t reach for it.”
It’s a convicting question for any reader: How many of us shrink ourselves and fail to reach for our dreams out of fear or obligation? Bethany claimed her life despite the emotional toll of her past relationship, and Eli finally reaches for his when love reshapes his perspective. This is an excellent, thought-provoking story about reclaiming your worth and using the God-given talents you were meant to share with the world.

A Highland Bride Forgotten by Maddie MacKenna

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Engaging Highland Romance Loaded with Mystery
Archer begins as a cold Laird who promises his new bride, River, that they will never have children. Banished to the far wing of the castle, River spends a year in isolation with only the loyal servants her father provided. Everything shifts when an accident leaves Archer with amnesia. Finding himself married to a woman he cannot believe he left untouched, he sets out to woo her back over seven nights.
Archer’s harsh behavior stems from a grim reality: someone has spent years trying to murder him through botched poisonings and staged "accidents." The story moves quickly with continuous threats on his life, building to a climax when the villain targets River once she is carrying Archer's child.
I enjoyed the characters, though River felt naive for shutting herself off from her clan entirely rather than building allies. Still, the brisk plot and high-stakes courtship make for an engaging read. 

Crime, Conpiracies and Courtship by Aubrey Wynne

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Entertaining, Messy, and Full of Missteps
This story has a bit of everything. Harry works as a spy for the Home Office while taking on work for an Earl. Lady Matilda, the Earl’s sister, finds her confidence in Harry, a Peeler who saved a young girl from a swan and needed his wound tended after the encounter.
The two meet secretly and enjoy each other’s company. By night, Harry keeps watch over the Earl’s townhome while the Earl is out of London. As Harry tracks a target for the Home Office, he uncovers and stops conspiracies against the Crown.
Along the way, Harry and Matilda fall in love. An Earl’s sister cannot simply marry a Peeler, but fate intervenes. With solid historical background, mystery, intrigue, and crime, the hero still manages to win his lady.

The Highland Laird’s Virgin Bride by Keira McCain

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Action-Packed Highlands Drama
Let’s be honest: Lucas is being utterly ridiculous. If he genuinely believes every woman who bears his child is cursed to drop dead, someone needs to hand the man a medical textbook—or at least a reality check.
To make matters worse, he’s harboring a deep-seated terror of pirates that the book conveniently forgets to mention until we’re already halfway through the story. Ultimately, he agrees to marry simply to appease his formidable grandmother, heading off to a literal bride auction to do the deed. Naturally, he picks his grandmother’s top choice, only to immediately regret it when she turns out to be everything his fragile peace of mind can't handle: loud, unapologetically bright, and—worst of all—utterly irresistible to him.
And honestly, what’s not to love about Katherine? She is vibrant, fiercely loving, and magnificently stubborn—the exact kind of woman needed to tame the violent Highlands. She slides right into estate life, takes his daughter under her wing, and somehow becomes absolute bosom buddies with Brimstone, the single worst-tempered horse on the property.
The plot is delightfully action-packed, though I’ll admit Lucas’s brooding routine started severely testing my patience about three-quarters of the way through. Still, Katherine carries the day and makes the whole ride worthwhile.

The Laird’s Reckless Claim by Juliana Wright

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

More Than a Bargain in the Highlands

An arranged marriage for her father’s money and trade routes leaves Sile expecting nothing from her union. Ambushed en route to her groom, she certainly never expects rescue at the hands of her intended.

Torin is a hard man, focused solely on clan survival. He did not anticipate a woman as fierce—or as captivating—as Sile. Her spirit matches the Highlands themselves. Yet, an enemy Laird plots to snatch Sile, aiming to claim her father's fortune and trade routes for himself.

The trouble for his enemy? The tighter Torin holds on to Sile, the more possessive he becomes, ultimately realizing he loves her. On his wedding day, nothing will stop Torin from claiming his bride—least of all a thieving rival.

This story delivers intrigue and Highland action. Driven by one man’s obsession for power and another’s fight for his clan, one will lose everything while the other gains his whole world.

An Orphan to Mend Two Hearts by Eliza Cartwright

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don't Let the Mystery Fool You—A Strong Western Suspense
This story is excellent in its delivery. It develops strong characters with difficult backgrounds.
Nora comes to Montana at the invitation of an aunt she never knew. She brings Beth, a girl who shares Nora's tragedy in silence. Grant is a man who walked away from an villainous father, while his brother stayed behind. Helena, the aunt, is not the welcoming woman her letter suggested. She seems aloof and unwilling to get to know her niece.
The mystery comes together after Nora falls for Grant. The betrayal by her aunt and Grant's father threatens to overwhelm Nora, but Grant proves his priorities and shows where his heart lies. Beth serves as a catalyst for the villain and brings warmth to the story.
When Nora uncovers the full truth, the villain tries to force her to sign over the land. The ranch troubles and attacks on Nora build tension straight to an action-packed final showdown.

Wedded to the Loveless Duke by Emma Linfield

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don't Let the Misleading Description Fool You
Is the Duke truly loveless?
This story centers on a father's scheme to get his daughter to the altar so he can mark his paternal duty complete. He tells her nothing and forces her into the marriage. Yet, despite his methods, he chooses well. Phillip only wishes he had been granted a proper courtship instead of a few business visits with her father.
What follows is months of courting after the wedding. Phillip must convince Eleanor that he will not clip her wings or force her to submit to his will.
The book description is misleading. It suggests the Duke cannot love, but he fell for her spirit long before Eleanor realized she loved him. Even her father proves less villainous than he appears, and Eleanor eventually forgives him.
The plot is sloppy, but a strong climax and ending pull it off.

Four Doubt: A Silas McKay Suspense Book 4 of 5 by Luana Ehrlich

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great Action, Puppy Training, and a Relationship I’m Still Not Sold On
When DCSS is hired by a murdered CEO’s widow, Silas gladly takes the case—mostly because the police are wasting time chasing gang members. While the widow is convinced a rival corporation ordered the hit, Silas looks at every angle, including those closest to the family. The investigation soon uncovers another target on the assassin's hit list, leading to a heart-stopping climax where survival relies entirely on having friends who watch your back.
Alongside the high-stakes investigation, the story does a great job balancing Silas’s personal life. As he brings a killer to justice, he’s also guiding a spiritually lost friend back to God, realizing his new puppy needs some serious training, and finally admitting he is actually in a relationship with Ashley.
I still don’t like her.

The Viscount She Chose for Her Sister By Alice Kirks

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Entertaining, Messy, and Full of Missteps
Alistair is a coward. Instead of pursuing Gwendolyn Harbury, he hides behind fantasy. He stood by and allowed another man to court her, only for that suitor to break her heart and sail off to America.
Since then, Gwendolyn’s family made a fortune in the tea trade, leaving their financial struggles behind. Alistair’s childhood affection for Gwendolyn turned into love, but fear holds him back. Terrified of risking their friendship, he allows Gwendolyn to set him up with her sister—a terrible decision, given where his heart lies.
The situation turns chaotic when the ex-suitor returns, now the Duke of Ravenwood. He claims he left to build his fortune and begs Gwendolyn for a second chance. Her father swoons over the title, but Gwendolyn remembers the abandonment. Desperate to save her from a miserable match, Alistair scrambles to unearth secrets about the Duke.
The plot becomes a comedy of errors where everyone makes the wrong choice at every turn. If you enjoy total chaos, this is a fun read.

A Betrothed for the Guarded Duke by Dorothy Sheldon

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hiding in Plain Sight from a Guard-Dog Duchess
The "guarded Duke" of this title refers less to a brooding hero and far more to his formidable mother, the Dowager Duchess, who guards the front door and scrutinizes every piece of post that crosses the threshold. To circumvent this fortress, Cordelia slips through the back door, securing a position as governess to the Duke’s niece, Marina. Cordelia’s true mission is to confront the Duke, Theo, with a long-forgotten marriage contract and the childhood ring he gave her a decade ago. Unfortunately, due to a harrowing experience with cannon fire in Belgium, Theo doesn't recognize her at all.
Our heroine desperately needs him to acknowledge his duty, but she is trapped between the heartache of his amnesia and the terrifying vigilance of his mother. So, she remains under his roof, hiding in plain sight. The story is beautifully penned, and the characters are thoroughly engaging, though the narrative loses its footing slightly in the middle. Cordelia shifts from harmlessly omitting the truth to actively lying to Theo, which tarnishes her charm. It takes a perfect storm—her own deception, the Dowager dismissing her under the guise of a "better opportunity," and a menacing letter from her uncle—to finally force her hand.
The ultimate flaw lies in the heroine's final execution. While Cordelia thoroughly understands this new, fractured version of Theo, she ultimately makes a monumental decision for him instead of allowing him the space to piece together the dark rooms of his own memory. This sudden recklessness feels entirely detrimental to her original cause. It is a thoroughly good read, but it is always deeply frustrating when a character's established traits are broken just to force a climax.

The Duke and his Pretend Bride by Ophelia Winslow

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Sharp, Deeply Emotional Fake-Courting Romance

An emotionally powerful fake-courting story that delivers exactly what the ton usually lacks: actual justice and a backbone.

Jeremy, the Duke of Vaille, enters a sham courtship with Cate to get his matchmaking grandmother off his back, simultaneously rescuing Cate from a devastating public scandal. Cate has been thoroughly scorned by her former betrothed, Lord Dunkley—a manipulative monster who has successfully twisted society's gossip to favor his own version of events.

While Cate knows Jeremy’s attentions are a ruse, his intense gaze makes her feel entirely seen, throwing her off balance. Jeremy himself carries the baggage of a brief, unconsummated arranged marriage, making his growing connection to Cate all the more impactful.

The story features moments of violence, though it serves strictly as poetic justice. However, the most satisfying triumph isn't against the villain, but rather when Jeremy forces Cate’s parents to confront their own selfishness for prioritizing their social ambitions over their daughter's welfare.

It is a sharp, emotional read about overcoming fear and learning to actually live.

Groom for Josie

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Smart Plot with Exasperating Leads
A classic tale of a mail-order groom who was, in fact, entirely un-ordered. Our fiercely independent heroine, Josie, has sworn off marriage, but her meddling brother decides she needs a husband anyway and places an ad. Enter Arlen: a weary sheriff looking to trade gunfights for domesticity. He arrives only to find Josie has absolutely no idea he was summoned. Naturally, instead of doing the sensible thing and leaving, he stays—smugly convinced he can win her over because he fancies the "fire in her eyes."
Frankly, Arlen’s arrogance is exhausting. He is so utterly sure of his own charms that one suffers a profound urge to bring him to his knees just to humble him. Josie, meanwhile, is trapped in that frustrating trope of the capable woman who somehow cannot see her own worth, convinced men only want her for her acreage.
Arlen attempts to court her by making himself useful and loudly appreciating the womanly figure hiding beneath her men's clothing. The plot thickens when a predatory lawyer tries to buy Josie’s land, foolishly approaching Arlen first—a blunder that rightfully sends Josie’s guard right back up. The pair are forced to put their romantic friction aside to unravel the lawyer's scheme, culminating in a high-stakes, gunpoint-wedding climax that delivers genuine tension.
While the plot is smartly constructed, the execution stumbles on the execution of the leads. A dash more character development could have transformed these exasperating archetypes into people we actually want to root for.

Three Confess by Luana Erhlich

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Foreign Espionage and a Chaotic Home Front
This latest installment of the Silas McKay series ramps up the stakes with a fierce focus on corporate espionage, balancing a high-pressure case with Silas’s equally chaotic personal life. Between a daughter home from college, a new puppy, and the delicate dance of introducing Ashley to his daughter, Silas has his hands completely full.
The central investigation hits close to home and feels incredibly timely. A Chinese company has stolen CID’s product right down to the factory floor, presenting an alarming breach of intellectual property. More concerning, however, is the chilling depiction of foreign handlers manipulating immigrants working within American borders. It raises a sobering question about corporate security, particularly for companies holding sensitive government contracts: should we be hiring non-native citizens when the risk of external leverage is this high?
As Silas untangles the web, the tension peaks with the realization that the enemy is already standing at his own front door. With heavy decisions weighing on our hero, the story races toward a gripping, suspenseful finish that delivers on every front. It is an intense, thrilling ride.

Anointed by TJ Monroe

 

Rated:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Intense Warfare, Unresolved Ending
I was highly impressed by the substantial use of scripture in this book. Spiritual warfare requires being fully equipped with God’s Word, and the battle scenes here are intense and gripping.
A pivotal turning point occurs when Cassie begins to take her gift for granted, only for it to fail her. God has His reasons for saying no, and her gift returns precisely when she needs it most.
However, the conclusion left me unsatisfied. During the battle, the demon recognizes Cassie, and Cassie seems to understand this recognition as well. Unfortunately, the author never explains this identity to the reader, leaving a frustrating gap in the narrative. I read through the extensive conclusion searching for answers, but found none.
Additionally, while I believe spiritual curses can be inherited, I believe they are passed down through families who do not know Christ, rather than those covered by His blood—though I recognize demons work harder to prevent the children of believers from following Him. While I do not need to know God’s ultimate plans, I needed to understand what the author awakened in Cassie, as it is entirely relevant to the story.

One Wonders: A Silas McKay Suspense Book 1 of 5: Silas McKay Suspense Series by Luana Ehrlich

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suspenseful Read, but Lacks Spiritual Balance
Silas McKay is a man consumed by sorrow, shutting out God and burying himself in his work. But when a client asks him to mentor his daughter, Ashley, Silas ignores his better judgment and agrees. Together, they plunge into a high-stakes espionage case, forcing Silas to decide just how much danger he is willing to put her in on her very first assignment.
While the espionage plot delivers solid suspense, Ashley herself is a major weak point. Brash, overdressed, and frankly spoiled, she feels entirely wrong for Silas—even if the author is determined to force the match. A forty-year-old widow with a college-aged daughter deserves a partner who is spiritually grounded, not a man who is only just beginning to wander back to God eight months after losing his wife. It's a frustrating dynamic that leaves me wondering exactly where this series is headed.
 

Forbidden Earl Next Door by Tess Aubrey

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tasteless Mothers and Misplaced Honor
This is one serious age-gap romance—minus the actual romance.
We have an eighteen-year-old debutante thrust into the Season the very same day she buried her father. A tasteless move by her mother, to say the least. Enter Lord Banbury, a man twenty years Rebecca’s senior, courting her with a vigor that feels entirely unseemly. Then there is Lord Normanby, a man with honor so misplaced it borders on frustrating; he should have destroyed Banbury ten years ago rather than settling for a quiet, private blackmail to save Rebecca’s sister.
In Regency England, the aristocracy has two courts: the law and society. For a villain like Banbury, it shouldn't matter which delivers the blow, so long as he is either jailed or utterly crucified by the ton and financially ruined.
While the characters are well-defined in their flaws and the plot is solidly written, Rebecca’s compliance is hard to swallow. Letting her mother match her up with a man old enough to be her father—not once, but twice—is simply ridiculous.

A Lady's Guide to Subterfuge and Science by Isabella Kamal

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 A Compelling Regency Romance with a Frustrating Heroine
This story is well-written, featuring a heroine who initially comes across as strong and determined, putting herself on a path to become a pioneer in her field. However, my admiration faltered when Jennings stole her paper and she simply gave up. It is at this point that the one man who truly believes in her must conquer his own fears to retrieve the paper for its rightful owner. While the romance is sweet and the narrative manages to be quite humorous despite the seriousness of the subject, the heroine's reaction to adversity was a letdown.
Frankly, Kalila allowed herself to be distracted by Oliver, and because of that, she deserved to lose her paper. Even when I fell in love with my husband, I never permitted him to distract me from my professional goals. It is difficult enough to crash into a man’s world without allowing the person you love to derail your focus. Letting them do so ultimately falls on the woman, as it only reinforces the archaic notions of the ton that women are the weaker sex. Women were meant to stand beside men as equals—not above them, and certainly not below them.

A Duke Worth Healing Sally Forbes

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Duke Reclaimed and Etiquette Ignored

Can a broken man truly be healed? Rowan hides from the world, thoroughly drowned in self-pity, until Eliza arrives armed with genuine insight and warmth. While others see only his physical damage, Eliza looks past the trauma of that cannon blast to see the man he could be, teaching him to wear his scars as a badge of honor and accept that he is still worthy of love.

The plot delivers a sharp lesson in betrayal; the true villain, Marcus, remains hidden until it is almost too late for our Duke. Fortunately, Rowan possesses remarkably loyal servants who know exactly when to disregard a foolish order to save their master.

My only real grievance is the author’s blatant disregard for the rules of the ton. Rather than cleverly navigating the strict etiquette of the era, the narrative simply ignores it—a lazy shortcut that disrupts the historical illusion. However, if you are looking for a deeply emotional story of survival and redemption, Rowan and Eliza’s journey delivers.

The Billionaire Prince's Secret Engagement by Lina Brighthart

 

Rating: ⭐⭐

The Trope Lacks Substance

This narrative attempts a unique spin on a classic fairytale dynamic, though the execution misses the mark on character development.

Rose is written with a constant sense of vulnerability, spending most of the book with her eyes wide like a scared rabbit waiting to run—an action she eventually takes. This defensive posture makes it difficult to see her agency in the relationship. Lucas presents a different contradiction; despite his claims that he doesn't want Rose in his world, his actions suggest otherwise. Rather than shielding her, it feels as though he uses her presence to reclaim his identity apart from the paparazzi stories, which undermines his character's integrity.

The story relies heavily on the "fake it till you make it" trope, but it struggles with transparency. The revelation that the engagement was never truly fake feels less like a twist and more like a manipulation of the premise, leaving the romance overshadowed..

Falling for My Orchard Enemy by Violet Bride

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Well-Written but Emotionally Stunted: It’s Just Okay

For a book that is objectively well-written, it sure does induce a high amount of unnecessary anxiety.

While the depiction of grief is understandable, the plot hinge of a husband stupid enough to hide massive financial secrets from his wife is a tough pill to swallow. Trust issues are a logical byproduct of that kind of betrayal, but Sloane’s defense mechanism of choice—pushing everyone away and being outright unpleasant to even her own support system—makes her incredibly difficult to root for.

Then there is Beck, who seems entirely hopeless. Walking away from the college love of your life to let your best friend have her is one thing. Cutting off communication entirely, only to resurface when asked to help with an orchard, is another. Let’s not even dwell on the sheer audacity of what Jaime actually did with the money Beck gave him; it’s a level of financial mismanagement that drains the romance right out of the room.

Ultimately, whenever the characters start to approach any genuine emotional depth, the author yanks the leash to force the plot forward. If you’re waiting for a satisfying romantic payoff, lower your expectations: instead of a hard-earned "I love you," we are forced to settle for a lukewarm "Stay."

It’s just okay.

Desiring the Governess by Jane Charles

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Backbone, Bad Deceptions, and a Missing Hero

A spectacular eavesdropping failure sets this Regency romp in motion. When Althea mistakenly assumes her uncle is marrying her off to his aging best friend, she promptly flees to Willanton. There she encounters Lord Preston Ambrose, who fled London to care for his five nieces after the tragic deaths of his brother and sister-in-law. Preston vanished from the ballrooms for another reason, too: he stutters when flustered. Naturally, rather than using his words, the overwhelmed guardian opts for deception and hires Althea as a governess.

While the story is generally well-played, Preston loses all credibility during the tavern scene. Taking advantage of Althea instead of telling the truth isn't the mark of a gentleman, and a speech impediment is no excuse for a total lapse in honor. The real savior of the story is the local dressmaker, who actually possesses the backbone the two main characters lack. She easily figures out Preston's issue, solves the problem, and thoroughly steals the show.

Three Weeks in Washington: A Titus Ray Thriller (Titus Ray Thrillers Book 3) Luana Ehrlich

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A High-Stakes Threat and a Flawed Hero
Titus Ray risks his career to thwart a Hezbollah chemical weapons attack on Washington, D.C. The narrative delivers a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller where the relentless, obsessive traits of the old Titus resurface as he rushes to save the capital.
The core conflict is as much internal as external. Titus struggles to balance his intense operational drive with his newfound Christian faith, frequently reverting to self-reliance and forgetting to pray until the eleventh hour. While the mission pushes the team to the absolute brink, they ultimately prevail—though readers should watch closely for the subtle miracle that saves the day.

Two Days in Caracas: A Titus Ray Thriller (Titus Ray Thrillers Book 2) by Luana Ehrlich

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
High-Stakes Espionage and Heart-Stopping Twists
Picking up right where One Night in Tehran left off, this sequel introduces Ben Mitchell, a hot-headed operative in desperate need of direction. Seeing much of his younger self in Ben, Titus steps in to mentor him while they hunt down the assassin from the first book.
As the mission intensifies, Titus struggles to balance his life. He fears he is ruining his fragile relationship with Nicki, which triggers a deeper personal crisis. The standout element of this book is Titus’s realistic struggle to reconcile his faith as a Christian with his violent, deceptive day job as a covert CIA operative.
The story is exceptionally well-written, blending profound internal conflict with action. A few unexpected plot twists deliver genuine, heart-stopping moments that make this a thrilling and memorable read.

A Change of Heart by Rose Pearson

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Honorable Rescue from Despair

This brief but efficiently paced Regency romance delivers a classic childhood-friends-to-lovers arc, though it misses a major historical mark. When Lady Hannah is unceremoniously dumped by the dishonorable Lord Benedict, she is left socially compromised and despondent. Enter Lord Montagu, returning from the war, who uses his lifelong devotion to court her, mend her broken heart, and restore her standing in the eyes of the ton. Aside from the villains, the cast is genuinely warm-hearted, making the central romance easy to root for.

The story's main failing, however, is that society lets Lord Benedict off the hook entirely. His excuse for ending the betrothal is inexcusable. In actual Regency times, a gentleman breaking his word was the ultimate social taboo; Benedict should have faced financial ruin, a total loss of credit, and complete ostracization from polite society. Instead, the book ignores this reality, leaving the villains to behave badly without social consequence. This includes Lady Claire, whose behavior is so viperish it proves a title does not automatically make one a lady, and a swift, old-fashioned lesson from her father feels entirely warranted.

Though the narrative is incredibly short, it covers its plot and character arcs remarkably well. It remains a sharp, satisfying read, even if the author forgot to give the villain the social ruin he richly deserved.

The Cruel Duke's Practical Duchess by Dorothy Sheldon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Monsters Don't Build Drainage Systems

Josephine and Jack’s marriage of convenience is a masterclass in negotiation, pitting his rigid sense of duty against her sharp-witted practicality. The ton, in all their gossiping glory, branded Jack a cruel monster for tearing down Colworth and shuttering its silver mine. They love a villain, but as usual, they missed the truth.

Josephine, however, spent fourteen months as a governess watching the Duke quietly rebuild his lands. Her rationale for accepting his proposal? "Monsters don't build drainage systems." Brilliant.

Watching them navigate a marriage by the ledger until emotion makes practicality entirely obsolete is deeply engaging. Then there is Cousin Felix, the heir presumptive, who possesses a grand opinion of himself and a total lack of execution. He fails at every turn because he expected a meek governess, completely forgetting that Josephine is also a solicitor’s daughter—and far better at reading the fine print than he is. Ultimately, Jack learns the hard way that emotions aren't a weakness, and that coldness is a terrible strategy for a happily ever after.

Lord Halsey’s Temptestuos Minx by Cerise Deland

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spy Games and Bad Trust
Lord Halsey hooks you from the prologue and doesn't let go. Ines is thoroughly delightful—her banter is sharp, and the lingering threat of Vaillencourt’s hold adds a delicious layer of intrigue. The romantic dance between them actually managed to surprise me, which is no small feat in the ton.
Despite his well-earned reputation as a serious rake, Halsey plays a much deeper game once he realizes he’s fallen for Ines. His genuine devotion to his family earned my respect, even if Ines herself occasionally tested my patience. For a woman rooting for her, she spectacularly failed the basic trust test one usually extends to a husband.
Naturally, when the truth inevitably spilled, Halsey did not disappoint. Ines couldn't have stumbled into a more understanding man—turns out a background in the spy game and firsthand knowledge of French trauma makes for an exceptionally forgiving spouse. It’s a beautifully romantic Napoleonic-era read that offers a grim, fascinating look at the civilian misery inflicted by Fouché.

Clarity (Diamonds of the First Water Book 1) by Sydney Jane Baily

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Remembering Who They Were
Twelve years apart is apparently just long enough for childhood friends to completely forget how to speak to one another, but the ton loves a challenge.
The Story Clarity is light-hearted and fun; Alex is—as her sister Purity so generously puts it—a humorless, dried-up stick. He is reserved, stoic, and desperately in need of a personality intervention. Forced together by the grueling social demands of the Season, the two are forced to look past their current facades.
The Verdict This is a remarkably well-written friends-to-lovers romance with genuine character development. As they navigate the marriage mart, they don't just fall for the adults they've become; they peel back twelve years of emotional armor to remember who they used to be. It serves as a sharp, satisfying reminder that sometimes you have to look backward to move forward, ultimately finding completeness in the person you were always meant to be with.
A delightful read for anyone who enjoys watching a dried-up stick slowly realize he's hopelessly in love.

The Phantom Duke's Convenient Bride by Sally Forbes

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Refreshingly Fierce Heroine Who Unmasks Her Brooding Duke
On the surface, the story kicks off with a trope as old as the ton itself: an evil uncle attempting to auction off his niece to a disreputable crony. But twenty-four hours before she’s forced down the aisle, Evelyn flips the script. Instead of weeping into her embroidery, she marches right up to the castle of the infamous "Phantom Duke" and offers herself up for matrimony. Owen, the Duke of Caranwood, knows a good deal when it knocks on his castle door. Since Evelyn is a frustrating four months shy of her twenty-first birthday, he whisks her off to Gretna Green before her family can protest.
What makes this romance click is the refreshing lack of fainting spells. Evelyn is absolutely no blushing debutante; she is forceful, direct, and completely unapologetic about what she wants. Rather than being threatened by a woman with a backbone, Owen finds her fierce personality completely intoxicating—she is, without a doubt, the perfect Duchess to command his estate. Even when the wicked uncle arrives to reclaim his prize, Evelyn stands her ground. The man is so blinded by his own arrogance that he utterly misjudges her, even when resorting to a desperate kidnapping plot. Ultimately, it’s a lovely journey of unmasking. Between the loyalty of his villagers and Evelyn's unwavering strength, Owen learns a vital lesson for any brooding aristocrat: society is ultimately judged by the character of the man, not the mask he hides behind.

The Bride's Debt by Clara Mae Ford

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Stiff Lips and Audited Ledgers on the Colorado Frontier
If you prefer your Western romances with a high body count of dramatic tears and declarations of passion, this is not the book for you. The story is told with a dry wit, but it ultimately reads more like a corporate audit than a sweeping romance.
The plot kicks off when Louisa, a woman thoroughly scorned by a scandal in Kansas, is shipped off to an 1800s Colorado ranch. Her destiny is a marriage of convenience to Silas, a rancher simply paying off a debt owed to her family two decades prior. The first two weeks of their union are entirely devoid of marital heat; instead, the pair casually coexist like a pragmatic rancher and a very efficient housekeeper.
Louisa’s true passion turns out to be bookkeeping. She steps in to help Martha, the actual housekeeper, and promptly puts the chaotic household accounts to rights. Silas, noticing her precision, asks her to look over his cattle ledgers. Instead of finding romance, Louisa finds a massive discrepancy between the reported stray cattle and the official figures penned by the foreman each year.
After demanding an actual physical cattle count, Louisa presents the evidence of rustling to her husband. Silas recognizes the truth and takes care of the issue, though he does allow Louisa a satisfying seat at the table for the foreman's takedown. It is during this business transaction that Silas finally implies he loves her—though you have to squint and read between the lines of dialogue to actually find it.

Ultimately, it is a decent read if you enjoy a stiff, emotionally reserved story. However, even frontier men and women who don't express their feelings still possess them, a reality this narrative largely leaves out in favor of balancing the books.

The Sulking House by Leigh Starling

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The House Was the Real Main Character
As far as science fiction goes, this is a very good concept. The standout is the house—it is bio-sentient, it warns the owners when something is wrong, and, in a deeply relatable human twist, it is promptly ignored. Except this house is a living thing that eventually demands to be heard.
Sable and Cael work together with the familiar rhythm of a married couple, despite not actually being married. They clearly love each other but constantly procrastinate talking about it, proving that "tomorrow" is the ultimate relationship graveyard.
Oddly, the entire novel reads a bit like a computer-generated document. Emotions are pushed entirely aside, which is a trait the human characters seem to adopt as well. Ultimately, it kept me turning the pages—not because I cared about what happened to the humans, but because I desperately wanted to see how the house turned out.

The Widower's Mail-Order Bargain: Inspirational Western Cowboy Romance (Eagle Creek Brides Book 4) Karla Gracey

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Excellent Journey of Love and Family
Set in 1890s Montana, this historical romance follows two grieving people who enter a marriage of convenience to prove their stability to skeptical in-laws. The hero needs to regain custody of his son, Teddy, while Geraldine needs to secure her late husband's will against her own grasping in-laws.
Once both goals are successfully met, Geraldine decides to tell young Teddy the truth about their arrangement. Teddy takes the news badly, prompting Geraldine to leave the family and return to her home in Billings. This separation sparks a journey that takes the characters from Montana to New York and Rhode Island. It is an excellent story of love that begins as friendship and ultimately builds a true family.