A Dream Is A Wish - Review of "An Offer From A Gentleman" by Julia Quinn

Title: An Offer from a Gentleman
Author: Julia Quinn
Series and Number: Bridgertons, #3
Release Date: July 1, 2001
Audiobook Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Dear Readers - if I get all fluttery and sigh-y, just know that this book more than deserves it. Because... sigh... I love this book!

Some years ago, I read through all the Bridgerton series because I'd heard so much about it and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Daphne and Simon's story was good, as was Anthony and Kate's, but when I came to Benedict and Sophie's book, I practically devoured it in one sitting. It was so unlike any romance I'd read before, both in tone and in how the hero and heroine meet. Not to mention that they're both in love with each other from almost the very beginning of the book.

And with the upcoming Bridgerton Netflix series set to drop on Christmas, I decided that I wanted to re-read the whole series. But when I discovered that my library's OverDrive catalog included the entire series on audiobook, I retooled my plans and went that route. Which I am enjoying IMMENSELY. Once I started, I was eager to get to "An Offer From a Gentleman." As much as I like the whole series, this one is by far my favorite one.

Now, there are plenty of Cinderella retellings and homages and send-ups and whatever-else-you-want-to-call it. Hell, I highlighted two just a few posts ago. But this one actually embraces the fairy tale aspect of the original tale, just minus the magical aspects of it so this can still be realistic (well, as realistic as historical romance gets. But that's for another time).

The story begins with a young Sophie Beckett, who is the bastard daughter of the Earl of Penwood. Though he claims that she's simply his ward, orphaned by some connection-or-other, Sophie resembles the earl so much that it's obvious where her parentage truly lies. The earl doesn't really treat her like a daughter, though he does take an interest in some aspects of her life. She's more at home with the servants. But she occupies this weird middle-ground - not quite aristocracy, but not really the lower class either.

As with any Cinderella story, there must be a wicked stepmother. That comes in the form of Araminta, the earl's new wife. And she has two daughters - Rosamund and Posy. Araminta HATES Sophie. She hates that the earl has his bastard daughter living in his house, she hates that her daughters have to be taught with her, she hates that her husband won't send her away. But it's not like the earl tries to make things easier for Sophie. She's pretty much on her own.

Then the earl dies and Araminta becomes the heinous beast that every wicked stepmother exemplifies. Sophie is turned into a virtual slave for Araminta and her daughters. She has no money, no friends, no support other than herself.

Then one day, the other servants in the household help her disguise herself so she can attend a masquerade at Bridgerton House. She meets Benedict Bridgerton and sparks IMMEDIATELY fly. Like, seriously - this is Love At First Sight taken to ridiculous levels. And I mean that in the best possible way. But, like in any Cinderella story, Benedict doesn't know who Sophie is. He just knows her as the Lady in Silver. They talk, she fascinates him, she's comfortable in his presence. And you feel like you can end the book here and get a satisfying happy ending.

But the clock must strike midnight and Sophie has to run to get back home before Araminta finds out that she snuck out. She leaves Benedict with no idea who she is, though she does leave a monogrammed glove behind that belonged to her grandmother. That leads Benedict to talk to Araminta, who puts all the pieces together and realizes that Sophie snuck out and actually had one nice evening. She kicks Sophie out of the house and leaves her to fend for herself.

That's all by the end of Chapter 6.

Of all the cover variations I found, 
this one was my favorite.

The rest of the story is after Sophie is exiled, which is great because a little Araminta goes a looooooong way. That's one thing about the Horrible Parent trope that gets on my nerves. When you have an awful parent-figure causing problems for the main characters, sometimes the author leans on their presence a lot. And it gets to the point that I (at least) want to reach through the book and throttle this terrible person. Or, at least, I have to flip to the end of the book and make sure this beast gets their comeuppance. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Or, at least, not a very satisfying comeuppance.

But here, Araminta kicks Sophie out and Sophie has to fend for herself. But the story fast forwards a couple of years and Sophie and Benedict reconnect (though, as far as Benedict is concerned, it's the first time). Sparks fly almost immediately, through a variety of slight misadventures.

Basically, fate is playing a HUGE role in getting these two together. Because Sophie is determined to (A) Stay in her place as a servant and (B) Not risk having an illegitimate child, because her life was so hard because of her illegitimacy (very understandable). And even the fact that Sophie doesn't tell Benedict that they met at the masquerade doesn't bug me as much, because watching them fall in love a second time is so great. It's their original meeting stretched out over time - so if you don't like Love at First Sight, this actually gives you both.

Also, the way Sophie was treated her whole life has really stunted her sense of self worth. And it's not Benedict that actually helps right her opinion of herself. It's his family. Because Sophie ends up working for Lady Bridgerton and the younger Bridgerton daughters and they just adore Sophie. They treat her like one of the family, even though she's their lady's maid. And by the time Benedict figures out who she is and that she needs to be freed from Araminta's tyranny once and for all - they ALL rally to Sophie's side.

The ending is the best thing ever. That's all I will say. But you will be punching the air by the time it's over. Lady Bridgerton is amazing. That's all.

The audiobook is great. Rosalyn Landor narrates all of the books in this series and she can do all kinds of wonderful voices. It's probably as close as you can come to getting a full-cast dramatization of a romance novel (dang it, that makes me want a proper radio play of such...) It also includes the 2nd epilogue that Quinn wrote for all of the Bridgerton novels, so this series of audiobooks has those short stories as well.

While I am looking forward to the Bridgerton Netflix series, I'm really hoping that the series is a success because I REALLY want to see Benedict and Sophie's story come to life. 

And on that note (and this was totally a coincidence, I didn't post this review just so I can share the trailer), have the final trailer for Bridgerton. And get excited! :D

This Is My Island in the Sun - Review of “Someday My Duke Will Come” by Christina Britton (eARC)

Title: Someday My Duke Will Come

Author: Christina Britton

Series and Number: The Isle of Synne, #2

Release Date: January 26, 2021 (eARC)

***Thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Book Group for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

What’s this? A review of a book that isn’t even out yet?

Yes, dear readers. There is a glorious little website called NetGalley where authors and publishers offer digital Advance Reader Copies (ARCs or eARCs) of books that are set to be released soon. The people who get these are folks like book reviewers, book sellers, librarians - people who will talk up new releases to their audiences. And I’ve been a member of NetGalley for a few years now. I admit, it took me a while to figure out how the whole system works, but it’s been a fun experience. I’ve certainly learned a lot about my reading habits, as well as the kinds of books I enjoy.

I happened upon this offering from Christina Britton, a new-to-me author, and I went ahead and got the first book in the series. I know - most romances are written so you don’t necessarily have to read the whole series. But I like to. It gives me an idea of the setting and the characters and the tone that the author is going for. Especially when it’s an author I’m experiencing for the first time.

I read “A Good Duke is Hard to Find” a month or two ago and really liked it. And once things started to settle down (regarding my To-Read-Right-Now List), I started on “Someday My Duke Will Come.” And, oh my sweet giddy aunt - I LOVED this book! It’s got so many wonderful romance tropes that I adore - a broken hero, a broken heroine, two stubborn people that slowly start to fall in love with each other, Shippers on Deck (I’m looking at you, Lady Tesh). There’s even an insufferable mother that gets her comeuppance, and in spades!

So before I continue, as this is a book that is yet to be released, there will be spoilers. Though I’ll try not to spoil things too much.

We first met Quincy Nesbitt in the last book, where he was introduced as Peter Ashford’s best friend and business partner. Quincy has returned to England after years of being away from his horrible family. His mother wanted to ship him off to the Navy after his father died, but Quincy ran off before she could do so. Now he’s back and quite wealthy and ready to put his past behind him so he can travel the world, like he and his father often talked about.

Except his three older brothers have all died and he is now the Duke of Reigate - a title he never wanted and was never supposed to have. And the dukedom is in ruins because - surprise - his brothers were all utter shit at managing the estate.

Oh, and Quincy’s mother is a hag of the highest degree. The story makes that crystal clear from the beginning.

Meanwhile, Clara Ashford is trying to fade into the background by promoting herself the Mother Hen of the entire family. She has no desire to be in society, certainly never wants to marry, and the story slowly unfolds her reasons for it. Reasons that she’s kept secret, even from her sister Phoebe, who she is otherwise very close to.

Clara’s great-aunt, Lady Olivia Tesh, is ALWAYS trying to set Clara up with eligible men and Clara hates it when she does that. Not just because Clara simply doesn’t want to marry. Her reasons for that run deep and cold - to the point that she’s buried them utterly and is simply out to help her family. 

Except... her sister is getting married and her great-aunt really doesn’t have a need for her to be around. So, she’s trying to figure out where she’s going to park herself after she has obtained spinsterhood and is no longer needed at home.

Quincy’s mother tries to corner him into marrying this meek little church mouse of a lady (with a hefty dowry) and because Quincy wants nothing to do with his mother and she is good at making monstrous threats, Clara steps up and claims to be Quincy’s fiancee. Out of the blue. When no one is looking for it. Though the scheme does benefit both of them - Quincy gets his mother off his back for a little while and Clara gets Lady Tesh off her back regarding her unmarried status.

Though I will say that Peter’s reaction (and that of his wife, Lenora) upon finding out about this fake engagement is hilarious. As is every time Peter is shown stewing about the situation.

But the real shining light in this story is how Quincy and Clara slowly come to realize how much they love each other. All those dreamy fantasies about a couple who can’t live without each other - it’s all here. I don’t want to give away the journey that Quincy and Clara make both as individuals and together - but it is so sweet and so satisfying. It was one of those that made me want to run and give my hubby a big kiss and a hug because - dammit, I feel that way about him too.

(Talk about relatable :D )

Though I will say that Quincy and Clara’s interactions are only improved by the contrast of Quincy’s interactions with his mother. Clearly, the Dowager Duchess of Reigate is absolutely the villain of this story. But she is written in such a way that you know she isn’t going to win, and you definitely want to see how she gets thwarted. Quincy is not fooled by any of her society scheming and, happily, neither is Clara. Nor is any of Clara’s family, I’m pleased to say. Sometimes, you’ll have stories with these horrible society women and men that are just awful to others, but because they’re super-high up on the social food chain people have to pretend that they’re okay with all their shit and it’s annoying. But that does NOT happen here, so the Duchess of Reigate doesn’t get to run roughshod any of our main characters (poor Lady Mary, having to deal with that seabeast...)

Ever heard the phrase "A hero is only as good as the villain"? It definitely applies. Because the obstacle that Quincy's mother poses makes both Quincy and Clara even better characters when they get around her schemes and finally admit their love for each other.

Overall, the characters in this story feel human. These are people with real problems, not modern author-stand-ins trying to shoehorn message fic into a story. They’re also good people who’ve been given a raw deal, but who deserve whatever happiness comes their way. But as was established in the first book of the series, the Isle of Synne is a place where happy endings and true love can be found. I highly recommend this book, and this series.

Also, having gone back into the few books that Christina Britton has written before, I’m really looking forward to more of her stories!

Make Out Already! - Review of "My Fake Rake" by Eva Leigh

Title: My Fake Rake
Author: Eva Leigh
Audiobook Narrator: Zara Hampton-Brown
Series and Number: The Union of the Rakes, #1
Release Date: November 26, 2019

Oh goodness - Sebastian and Grace... where do I even start with you two?

The premise of this story is said to be based on the '80s romcom Can't Buy Me Love. Evidently, all the books in this series are packed with 80s pop culture references. And I got a few of them as I listened to the audiobook version of this.

But here is my confession - I've never seen that movie. Nor am I any great expert in 80s pop culture. Oh, there are some things I get. But having been born in the mid-1980s and thus being too young to really be immersed in such, some of this stuff went sailing over my head.

However, I am familiar with tropes associated with The Ugly Duckling/makeover stories and Friends-to-Lovers. So we'll go with that.

Though I am glad that I was aware of this series' dependence on '80s references. Otherwise, that font on that cover would have been... ehhhhhhhhh. But it actually works for what is going on here.

Okay - so the story is that Lady Grace Wyatt is a scholar, as is Sebastian Holloway. Seb is the son of a nouveau riche businessman, but he has no inclination to go into his father's business. So he lives on a paltry stipend while he also makes time for his anthropology studies. He is also painfully shy around strangers and avoids talking to people he doesn't know. He has a motley group of friends that we're introduced to in a Breakfast Club-esque prologue (because, the '80s).

Grace is obsessed with reptiles and amphibians. And she makes sure EVERYBODY knows it. Which has made her a bit of a pariah in society. But that's okay - she's a strong, independent woman who don't need no man. She does what she pleases, 'cause she's really a woman from Current Year trapped in Victorian England.

But when her father has a health scare, he asks her to get married so he can know that she's taken care of. Even though she'd intended on being the oddball spinster aunt that gets passed around between family members. Oh sure, she rails against the unfairness of it all (don't worry, I'll get to that silliness in a moment), but then she decides that she needs to up her standing in society so she can attract this one other scholar named Mason Fredricks who is actually welcomed in society, but he also goes on scientific expeditions. Mason considers Grace a colleague (and you will get sick of hearing about it), but she wants him to think of her as a marriageable young lady. The scenes where he talks to Grace about his quest for marriage and how he needs to meet eligible ladies are all pretty galling. It's like "She's right there, you dolt!"

So what does Grace do? She enlists the help of her shy best friend Sebastian to act like a confident society rake and pay attention to her in front of everyone else, so Mason will get it through his thick skull that Grace is a viable candidate for marriage. Because Grace can't possibly see herself marrying a man who isn't intelligent or shares her passion for academics.

At the risk of repeating myself: "He's right there, you dolt!"

It is clear from the outset that Seb is sweet on Grace. But his shyness and social anxiety prevent him from expressing that to her. You absolutely feel sorry for the guy, especially when Grace is treating him the way she claims society has treated her. But, dammit, he does EVERYTHING she asks of him. Even when her "training" causes him even further public humiliation.

Enter the Duke of Rotherby, one of Seb's friends from that not-Breakfast Club at Eton (really, they're called the Union of the Rakes, hence the series name). Holy cow, Rotherby is a godsend to Grace and Seb. In fact, this whole scheme of theirs would fall apart without Rotherby's help. Not only does Rotherby grease the wheels (as it were) to get Seb into society events so that he can be seen kind-of-courting Grace, but Rotherby actually knows what to do to prepare Seb for his role as confident society buck. Everything from how to act, how to speak, even how to dress - Rotherby's got it covered. He is easily the best character in this book. I know his book is next in the series and I hope to heaven that he is still as likable there as he was here.

But back to Grace. Because if there is a problem with this story, it is Grace. Holy. Hell. This woman prattles on and on about how SOOPER SMART she is, but she is dense as a ton of cement.

First off, she wants to get married to a man who is intelligent and who she can converse with about their fields of study. She claims that she doesn't give a fig about society - she just wants to run off and do her field work. Hey look - there's Sebastian Holloway! He meets her in the library. He talks to her about their studies. He is easygoing with her, even if functioning in society terrifies him. He has no use for high society either. They can go off and be intelligent misfits together. Perfect solution!

But, nope. She wants the polished naturalist who is perfectly at home running in those social circles that she claims that she wants no part of. Never mind that he's never given her a thought beyond their academic fields.

And every time that Seb feels like he might be getting closer to Grace, she has the GALL to remind him that this is all just an act. That Seb could HONESTLY fake his attraction to Grace - when just five minutes ago HE HAD ZERO SOCIAL GAME AT ALL.

Second off, for all her protestations that she has no use for society, Grace acts just like one of those simpering, spoiled misses. Just replace the obsession with clothes and hair and flirting and balls with reptiles and amphibians and being the epitome of those trite pretentious douchebags that populate such bullshit groups like "I F**king Love Science". She makes these impossible demands on her painfully shy friend and he goes along with it because he's besotted with her (again, I feel so sorry for Seb early on) and she just takes for granted that he's going to do this. Because she is the princess. She gets what she wants. And she is just going to dump Seb like a bad habit the minute Mason recognizes that she has child-bearing hips. Or whatever the thought process is.

Yeah, she knows EXACTLY
what she's doing. Twat.

What. A. Bitch.

Even later on in the book, she assumes that Seb doesn't love her because he said she should marry Mason. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID, you dumbass! He thinks you want to be friends, so he's respecting your wishes! It's no more complicated than that. Guys aren't that manipulative. Especially guys like Seb. The man has no guile. Just because you're oozing with it.

And, yes, she does have a moment of realization at the end that she's been a horrible person and played with people's emotions and used them like toilet paper. But after hours of screaming at this beast, it was too little too late.

Maybe Grace frustrates me so much because I and my husband, Mr. Riker, were friends with common interests before we dated and got married. True, it took us a while to make the connection. Though part of that was due to Mr. Riker dating somebody else initially. But that relationship ended and, after a year and a bit of prodding from his brother (I found that part out later), Mr. Riker asked me out and the rest is history. The key is that we were honest with each other the whole time. And after years of trying and failing to have a meaningful romantic relationship with anyone, it was refreshing to find someone that it was so easy to be around and who actually wanted my company. By that time, the choice was simple. And we have been together ever since - quite happily and successfully, I might add.

One more thing that irritated me in this story - All the woke shit. Seriously, what is WITH historical romance authors and the need to insert their attempts to score woke points in their novels? Presentism always - ALWAYS - throws me out of a story. Like that bit about the artifacts and taxidermy animals in the British Museum. If it pains you to see such things, why in the hell are you even there? And where can we find that time machine to send you back to the Current Year where you can screech about toxic masculinity and cultural appropriation on Twitter along with all the other pampered white feminists with their nose rings and blue hair?

So... why did I finish this, if there were so many things that set me to ranting?

Honestly, it's Sebastian. I fell in love with the guy. He was so earnest and sweet. His journey of self-discovery - while instigated by a selfish hag - was beautiful to witness. He didn't really change himself in the process of becoming a society rake. He wasn't faking the rake act. I believe it was Rotherby who said that they just polished Seb up so people could see his true nature underneath. He learned how to navigate his own culture and people, after studying others like a disaffected outsider for so long. He found a place to belong and he learned to stand up for himself. He found strategies and techniques for channeling his nervous energy into something productive and good. His weaknesses became his strengths and he was a better person for it.

That's the kind of character growth that I LIVE for! I was even cheering during that chase at the end where he was rushing to stop Grace's ship from leaving, because it meant he was about to get his Happily Ever After. He deserves it. Though then I remembered that he was running after Grace and... I felt less enthusiastic about it.

Even so, I can tolerate a selfish prick of a heroine for the gold mine of a hero who is learning to overcome his flaws. Sort of.

So what's my final verdict? Enjoyed the hero, enjoyed his best friend, the heroine needed a boot up the ass. And Leigh needs to lay off the woke shit.

Rags to Riches - The Cinderella Trope (also, A Double Review!)

Romance loves a Cinderella trope, doesn’t it? The impoverished-yet-well-born lady marries a duke. Or even a peasant marrying a duke. The genre isn’t picky. Sometimes it goes the other way - a low-born man marries an heiress. However it goes in a particular story, it’s a fun one to play around with.

By chance, I ended up finishing these two books relatively close to each other. Now, I had read Project Duchess as an eARC from NetGalley back before it had been officially released. But I was browsing through my library’s OverDrive catalog looking for a good romance audiobook to listen to and I saw that Project Duchess was available. So I checked it out, since I’d never listened to the audio version. The Duke Buys a Bride was a first-time read for me.

And both of these use the Rags to Riches trope, but both in vastly different ways. Because they were similar in that fashion, I decided to review them together and compare how these two use the trope.

First off, Project Duchess -

In this initial installment of Sabrina Jeffries’ Duke Dynasty series, we are introduced to a huge blended family. Lady Lydia has been married and widowed by three dukes. She has had children by all three of her husbands - three sons and one daughter (the daughter is the twin sister to one of the dukes). So these half-siblings are all family, yet their separate relations are not blood related... it gets a little confusing if you’re not paying attention.

Anyway, Lydia’s latest husband, the duke of Armitage, has died and her third son, Sheridan, is now the Duke. They’re all at Armitage Hall to prepare for the funeral when Lydia’s estranged eldest son, the Duke of Greycourt (known as Grey) is summoned to attend his mother in her time of mourning. He meets up with his younger twin half-siblings - Marlow Drake (the Duke of Thornstock, or “Thorn”) and Lady Gwyn Drake, and Sheridan Wolfe, the Duke of Armitage.

On the estate are Sheridan’s cousins through his father’s side, Beatrice and Joshua Wolfe. Financially, Beatrice and Joshua are hanging on by a thread. Their uncle before Lydia’s husband was a total bastard towards them and they don’t have a lot of options. Joshua works as the estate’s gamekeeper after being wounded while serving in the Royal Navy. Lydia decides to sponsor Beatrice in society and have her and Lady Gwyn debut together (Gwyn hasn’t debuted because her father was an ambassador to Prussia before returning to England and... well... dying.)

Grey is volunteered to help prepare the ladies for their debuts, since he’s not doing much (sarcasm very much intended). And there’s a mystery that overarches the entire series (this is a Sabrina Jeffries novel, after all). See, when you decide to have a dowager duchess widowed three times so you can have a family of dukes (hence “Duke Dynasty” - then you have the play on reality TV shows... it’s all very meta) - that’s going to be quite odd. Sheridan wants to know why his mother’s husbands keep dying and he suspects Joshua. Grey is enlisted to help Sheridan figure it all out - by getting close to Beatrice.

So that sets up the story.

This is the large print cover and,
I gotta say, I really like it!

As far as Rags to Riches is concerned - Beatrice is still the granddaughter of a duke, albeit not in the line of inheritance. But she should have been provided for a lot better than she was. The Duke of Armitage before Sheridan’s father was a piece of shit and didn’t care about his niece and nephew... well... he cared about Beatrice, but not in any way that an uncle should do with his niece (repeat after me: EW). But Lady Lydia is determined to make this right and Beatrice is willing to go into society, if only to secure a future with a decent husband.

Grey has his own issues, but finances is certainly not one of them. But beyond the money and the titles, Grey sees Beatrice for more than just being a poor relation (by marriage). In all the time they spend together, their personalities start to click and they help each other heal from past traumas. And it’s not like one set the other down and said “Tell me how you feel about XYZ.” It’s something that happens naturally from them being in each other’s company so much. And it’s beautiful to witness.

Really, the Cinderella trope in this one isn’t as front-and-center as some uses of it. But it certainly plays a role in how Grey and Beatrice’s relationship plays out in the story. It’s merely one aspect of the story, though it certainly is there.

(PS - If you haven’t read this series, I suggest you start. It’s a treat and a delight. But I’m a huge fan of Sabrina Jeffries, so I’m automatically biased.)

Now, with The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan - this one is a little more off-the-wall. I’m learning that about this author, and particularly this series of hers. It’s not to the level of “crazycakes” like Bertrice Small, but there are some far-fetched ideas that you just have to accept if you’re going to read these. If you can do that, you are going to have some highly entertaining reading sessions.

Alyse Bell is “married” to Mr. Beard - an old man who her father arranged to have her go to his household so she’d be taken care of after her father died. They may have been married on paper, but she was a glorified housekeeper for him. She took care of his house and his children and that was it. Now that his children are gone and he wants to really marry someone else, Alyse has to go. And in this little village in the north of England, the only way to do that is to sell your marriage contract off to someone else. It’s a Wife Auction.

[Suspension of disbelief, here. Though part of me would not be surprised to learn such things actually happened.]

Alyse thinks that she has a young man who is willing to buy her off of Mr. Beard and they’re going to move to London and find work and things will be great. But when her beau doesn’t show up for the auction and she is left to the mercy of whoever pays the most for her (not a happy thought, considering some unsavory characters in the town have the money for it), who should arrive but our good friend the Duke of Autenberry, Marcus Weatherton.

Marcus is fleeing London because his best friend is in love with his stepmother (remember that?) and he’s heading through this little village after being found drunk in a stable and smelling like cow crap. He’s not had a good week. But he sees the Wife Auction taking place, sees Alyse on the stage being leered at and described like a broodmare, and he is disgusted by the scene. In a moment of gallantry, he bids for Alyse and ends up with her.

And no one knows he’s a duke. That’s the kicker. He doesn’t make a big deal about it, he looks like he’s slept in a barn (which, he did) and he doesn’t wear any nice clothes. And why in the world would a duke be going through this part of the country?

At first, Marcus just tells Alyse that she’s going to be his housekeeper in one of his estates up north. They are NOT married. Which suits Alyse just fine. But after days on horseback getting there and staying in inns... well, what do you THINK happens?

Eventually, Alyse discovers that Marcus is a duke - which is HUGE for her. She’s never dreamed of being a duchess. She’s a peasant. She never had any lofty ideas like that for herself. And on paper, at least, they’re married. True, neither one of them really considers the bill of sale binding (and it kind of isn’t - at least, not in England). But Scotland, where Kilmarkie House (Autenberry’s other estate) is - that’s another matter.

This one is unlike most romances I’ve read. I’m sure it’s happened in other books, but of the ones I’ve read, the lowborn lady is still connected to the ton in some way - through a relation or marriage or just the determination of the crown that someone cares for an estate after a peer dies. But Alyse is COMPLETELY outside English high society. And Marcus finds that he wants that. It is a straight-up Cinderella story, even more than the original Cinderella was.

Now, could that happen? Did it ever happen? Hell if I know. I tend to think that answer is no. Though I’ve heard of real-life stories that actually happened that sounded too ridiculous to be true. And that’s the thing: I don’t need my romances to be plausible. It’s fun when authors mix things up a bit and give us something a bit more off-beat. Romance is a fantasy, just as much as an actual fantasy story is. It’s just done in a different way.

So there you go - two Rags-to-Riches romances that take the trope in interesting directions. Check them both out and see what you think. Do you like the slightly more plausible story in Project Duchess or do you like the out-of-the-blue stranger-than-fiction tale in The Duke Buys a Bride? Or maybe both?

The Social Season Is Upon Us - Initial Thoughts on the "Bridgerton" Teaser Trailer

 The teaser trailer for "Bridgerton" dropped this morning! Take a look -

My initial thoughts -

- I have never watched "Gossip Girl," so I have zero idea what's it's about. But there are a LOT of comments comparing "Bridgerton" to that so... sure?

- On that note, I have also never watched anything that is produced through Shondaland, though I certainly know of Shonda Rimes's output. Nothing that she's produced has really piqued my interest enough to try it out until now. That being said, I'm willing to be impressed.

- I am slightly annoyed that the teaser trailer touted its TV connections, but failed to mention that this series is based on Julia Quinn's original Bridgerton series of romance novels. Maybe another trailer will drop and make that clearer? Or the show itself will say so? Maybe my inner book nerd is just needlessly irritated on that score.

- I am well-aware that the series definitely has its own look to it. Not just the racial diversity of the cast, but also some of the costuming is... interesting. Like I said, I'm willing to be impressed. The actress playing Daphne Bridgerton looks amazing and the actor cast for Simon Bassett is damn easy on the eyes. So maybe I'm being a bit shallow, but I'm okay with it. As long as the subplot regarding the Duke of Hastings's father and his childhood is left intact, and we get the glorious relationship between the two leads, I will be happy.

- And here I probably should go with the broad statement that book-to-screen adaptations can be hit and miss. Some are great (Lord of the Rings), some are ehhhhh.... (Artemis Fowl). So while I say I am willing to be impressed, I also am approaching this with some trepidation. Or I can just sit back and enjoy this for what it is, while enjoying the book as a different entity.

- But dammit - Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown? Yes, you have my attention! (Though how they'll handle the reveal of Whistledown when they finally get there... not sure. But that seems that it'll be in a future season, if they do the "season = book" formula that it looks like they're doing for the whole series.)

- I hope this series is successful, both in terms of ratings and in terms of impressing the True Believers. I would love the possibility to open up for other romance series to get adapted into streaming shows - the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that streaming is the perfect outlet for such adaptations. I will always love reading romance books and visiting those settings in my head. But there is something to be said for being able to see it played out on screen. And while I love Jane Austen adaptations and the like, period drama needs to branch out. Just a bit.

That's really all I have as far as thoughts. I mean, this was just a minute and a half trailer for a series that's going to be eight episodes (all dropping on Christmas Day - yay!), so it's impossible to know the whole picture. But it's a nice little tease and I'm excited to see the finished product.

Oh My Celestial Actuary! - Review of "Lara" by Bertrice Small

Title: Lara
Author: Bertrice Small
Release Date: April 25, 2006
Series and Number: The World of Hetar, #1

I discovered Bertrice Small when I was first getting into romance and trying out various subgenres and seeing where my tastes ran. And Bertrice... well... for me, she is in the realm of what some in the business call “crazycakes.” And, frankly, that’s the only term for it.

It’s like those times where you’re trying to eat well and limit carbs and sweets and exercise and stuff. And you’re doing a great job with it, too. But every now and again, you just have to indulge in a Twinkie. There is no redeeming nutritional value to it, but dammit if you just WANT ONE.

That’s what Bertrice Small is in my reading habits. Sometimes, I just want a crazycake.

“Lara” is the first book in The World of Hetar series, which is Bertrice Small’s foray into fantasy romance. The plot is (and you are going to TIRE of hearing this if you read the book - seriously, Lara has to tell EVERYONE she meets about this), Lara is a half-human half-faerie girl whose father needs to sell her into slavery so he can have the money to look good enough to join the Crusader Knights and lift his family out of poverty. And Lara not only goes along with this plan, she AGREES to it. Because she’s beautiful and someone is going to pay big money to take her virginity and it’s best for her father, her stepmother, and her baby half-brother.

It's actually a GOOD CAREER CHOICE for her. Granted, it seems rational in the context of this fantasy world. But please tell me I wasn't the only one squicked out by it?

That’s the thing - no matter how insane the suggestions, Lara just goes along with everything she’s told to do. Well... until she actually experiences what those plans are. Like when she's enslaved by the brutish Forest Lords (eeeesh... no). Then she gets a talking magic sword and cuts off the bastard’s head.

Like I said - crazycakes.

Let me talk about the prose here. Remember when you had to read The Iliad or most any of Shakespeare’s plays in school? Or even reading the King James Version of the Bible? (And, yes, I know I’m probably going to hell for comparing a racy romance novel to the Bible.) I swear, that’s what Bertrice was trying to do with her prose. Make it sound archaic and grand and epic in scope.

But there are times when I’m reading this story - even the sex scenes - and I feel like I’m reading something out of the Old Testament. Not because of the content, but because of how the words are put together. Not to mention how shallow the characters are. Most of the time, they only do things because the plot demands it. Which is why I felt like I was reading the Bible in places. The worst things in the world could be happening, and the protagonists say “It’s my destiny. It’s what the Celestial Actuary wants. I’m fine” (and make sure it’s said in the most level and bland tone possible).

And even when the characters do express emotion, it’s just spoken about. “Tell, Don’t Show,” if you will. You never feel their emotions (other than the umpteenth time someone screams in pleasure. Even then, it’s like reading a grocery list). They’re all like NPCs in a video game. They’re programmed to do certain things and that’s it.

So why do I keep coming back to Bertrice Small’s books? Hell if I know. Maybe it’s just fascinating that such a thing exists. It amuses me. I imagine this is why Fifty Shades of Gray was/is so popular. You just can’t look away.

So sit back and enjoy your crazycake. It’s certainly better than anything else 2020 has served up thus far.

Autenberry's (Step)Mom Has Got It Goin' On - Review of "The Scandal of It All" by Sophie Jordan

Title: The Scandal of It All 
Author: Sophie Jordan
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Series and Number: The Rogue Files, #2

I swear, Sophie Jordan must have had "Stacy's Mom" playing on repeat when she was writing this book. I mean, I had it looping over and over in my head while I was reading it. Which actually made the experience even more entertaining.

Okay, let's get one thing out of the way: If the heroine in this book hadn't been married to the hero's best friend's (now deceased) father, there would be zero problem. Graciela, the Dowager Duchess of Autenberry is only six years older than Lord Strickland (the hero) and the late Duke of Autenberry was an old man when they got married (and a gross one, it turns out). But if Graciela and Colin had met before Graciela got married, it wouldn't be so awkward.

Then again, that's what makes everything so funny.

Graciela is a widow who is tired of just killing time until her daughter is grown and married and then she'll be left all alone. She lets another friend, also a widow, convince her to go to this club called Sodom (three guesses what kind of club that is). While she goes and is in disguise, she encounters her stepson and his best friend. The friend, Lord Strickland, recognizes her and does everything he can to hide her presence from her stepson.

And I do mean EVERYTHING.

The scene where Strickland is hiding Graciela from Marcus is absolutely hilarious. It has the tone of a Three Stooges sketch, but everything is R-rated. Because Marcus just Won't Go Away. I do feel bad for Graciela, but at the same time she said she wanted adventure and to take risks and not just have a sedate life as a respectable widow. Well, my dear, you got EXACTLY what you wanted.

And that's one issue with this book - Graciela will make a decision (like going to Sodom or to seek out a gentleman to have an affair with), but when it comes time to put that decision into action, she wimps out completely. Which would be okay, if she ever overcame that fear. It happens CONSTANTLY in the book. Even up to the end when circumstances make it so she and Strickland must marry and she still waffles back and forth about her choices.

As far as Strickland goes - he's the kid in "Stacy's Mom." He even says that he's been in love with Graciela since Autenberry's father married her. Obviously he never acted on that while the old duke was still alive, and he's even weirded out by this situation now. But that the difference in the two characters - he gets over it. He changes and develops as events unfold, where Graciela does not. Not, at least, until the very last page when it's supposed to be Happy Ever After!

So the first 3/4 of the book is almost a comedy of errors (and a very entertaining one, at that), but the last quarter of the book feels too repetitive because Graciela just cannot get over her hangups. Which is disappointing. I really hoped that she'd become this confident and adventurous lady after all her escapades.

Still, for the scenes at Sodom and the scene at the musicale (not quite as funny as the Sodom scene, but still humorous), I do recommend this book. Just don't get too excited for the ending.