Winner - - The Legend of Meneka

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

The Legend of Meneka is:

traveler

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - A Simple Scandal

A Simple Scandal

by Janna MacGregor

Millionaires of Mayfair - Book 3

Publisher: Janna MacGregor

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

When Lady Grace Webster vows to avoid scandal, she doesn’t account for the irresistible Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, when she agrees to help him find his perfect duchess. Scandal is just another word for evening entertainment in Mayfair, and no one stirs up excitement quite like the Duke of Pelham and Lady Grace Webster. In "A Simple Scandal," whispers turn into shouts when these two join forces—or rather, lock horns—in a battle of wits, wills, and romantic whispers. Amidst a backdrop of glittering balls and clandestine meetings, will their hearts comply with society's rules, or will they write their own scandalous chapter? Can the handsome duke teach the steadfast Lady Grace that sometimes, a little scandal is exactly what the heart needs? Join them for a romp through Regency London, where the only thing more sparkling than the wit is the wine!

PJ's Thoughts:

It's always fun when the tables are turned and an overly-protective older brother finds his own heart on the line. I've been eagerly waiting for Janna MacGregor's Duke of Pelham's story and am happy to say it did not disappoint. Childhood sweethearts-to-enemies-to lovers-to-happily-ever-after for the win!

I loved the chemistry between Grace and Dane (Pelham) but also the conflict. There's a lot of emotional baggage to work through between these two, not only within their own relationship but due to outside forces as well. I loved Grace's strength and determination but also her vulnerability. Dane, for all his posturing, is just a big softie when it comes to his family. I loved the two of them together even though it takes a bit of time for them to get out of their own way and realize they're fine on their own but even better together. 

Family is also at the heart of this story, in both good and bad ways. MacGregor does a fine job of weaving them into Dane and Grace's romantic journey, including humorous meddling on the part of Dane's sisters and their husbands as well as layering the emotional aspects of Grace's evolution due to the actions of her family. 

This is the third book of a trilogy but stands well on its own. However, I enthusiastically recommend all three books. 

Review - - Rustler Mountain

Rustler Mountain

by Maisey Yates

Rustler Mountain - Book 1

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Every year, thousands of people come through Rustler for the rodeo, historic home tours, old-fashioned candy making demonstrations, sharpshooter shows—and to see the site of the 1800s shootout in which notorious outlaw Austin Wilder was killed by Sheriff Lee Talbot. Now Millie Talbot, the sheriff’s descendant, wants to bring back the town’s Gold Rush Days. But she needs the current Austin Wilder’s support to make her dream a reality. . .

The Wilders are rumored to be as true to their last name as their ancestors. Nonetheless, Austin is agreeable to helping Millie. But he wants something in return. Austin is working to clear his family name by writing the true history of his outlaw ancestors and Millie might just hold the key.

When Millie wrangles Austin into helping plan Gold Rush Days, he figures it’s a chance to get to the truth of the past. . . . But when sparks start to fly between this bad boy and good girl, will either of them come out of it unscathed?

PJ's Thoughts:

Maisey Yates launches her new series with an enemies-to-lovers, good-girl-bad-boy romance that had me happily turning pages from start to finish.

I've always found it hard to resist a fictional bad boy. Make him a bad boy with a well-used library card, a burning desire to uncover the truth about his much-maligned ancestor, and write a book about it? Oh, and for bonus points, give him a soft spot for the good-girl librarian? It's safe to say that the present day Austin Wilder has me well and truly hooked. 

And then there's prim and proper Millie Talbot, the quiet librarian who has never quite been able to reach the high standards set by her family...or the town. It's so much fun to watch Millie fall for Austin as she slowly embraces her own dreams and desires (a little spice in the stacks, anyone?) and comes to grips with uncovered truths about her family while also battling her nemesis and her ex to resurrect the town's Gold Rush Days. 

Rustler Mountain shows that perception is not always the truth. Yates has created a small town filled with intriguing characters, plenty of complications, and a revered claim to fame that revolves around one particular historical event that two generations later still colors how the present-day descendants are viewed. But what if those plaques at the town limits and the widely attended Gold Rush Days got it wrong? 

I am all in for Maisey Yates' Rustler Mountain and already looking forward to book two, Outlaw Lake, a friends-to-lovers story that I can't wait to get my hands on. Bring on the Wilders!

Review - - Dream Girl Drama

Dream Girl Drama

by Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne.

Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged.

Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister.

Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more…

PJ's Thoughts:

I have mixed feelings about this one. I'll start with the positives. Sig and Chloe have off the charts chemistry and their initial meeting had me eagerly anticipating their story. I love their banter, their spice, and their growing affection for one another. I like how Sig takes her under his wing and helps her find her footing and independence away from her mother's control. And I love how Chloe blossoms. 

Sig and Chloe both have complicated family relationships and more than a little emotional baggage. I appreciated the impact those relationships had on the characters but also that Bailey kept the vibe of the book fun and fast moving. There are times (many times) when Chloe seems impossibly young and naive. There are good reasons for that. It also makes her growth arc that much more significant. 

The part of the story that just doesn't ring true for me is the stepsibling obstacle to their romance. Sig and Chloe have just met as adults. His father (with whom he barely has a relationship) and her mother have also recently met and announce their engagement the same day Sig and Chloe meet. We're supposed to believe that will make a relationship between Sig and Chloe taboo? It feels silly to me and not a reasonable or realistic obstacle. Others may disagree but for me there are plenty of layers to wade through in this relationship without it. 

Aside from the step-sibling issue, this is a fun, fast, enjoyable story with sparkling banter, great hockey brotherhood, significant character growth, and a sweet - and spicy - romance. 

Review - - A Georgia Christmas

A Georgia Christmas

by Susan Sands

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: February 20, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Christmas in Moonshine, Georgia is salon owner Merilee Bell’s favorite season. She might still be single in her mid- thirties, but she’s finally content, proud of her business and herself as she’s made strides to make peace with her past. And then just at closing time, a tall, dark and handsome new deputy enters her shop, and everything seems poised to change.

Weeks before Christmas, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, Randy Slade arrives in Moonshine posing as Moonshine’s newest deputy for an undercover sting to catch a group of high-tech property thieves. Only the sheriff is aware of his true identity, but from the moment he meets Merilee, who trades a haircut for free parking, he’s smitten by her smile and warm, friendly manner. Unfortunately, she also has a rental property perfectly suited for his undercover operation.

Randy doesn’t want to lie, but he has a duty to keep citizens safe, including Merilee. Can he do his job and still celebrate a small town southern Christmas, and maybe more with his dream girl?

PJ's Thoughts:

Looking for something to read this weekend? If you enjoy small-town contemporary romance with a strong sense of community, well-developed characters, a bit of suspense, complicated family dynamics, a realistic redemption arc and a happily ever after, I recommend A Georgia Christmas by Susan Sands. It's a quick read with characters who were easy to root for and a charming town I'm eager to revisit.

This novella follows Her Missing Pieces, book one in Sands' Moonshine series (read my review here) but can be fully enjoyed as a standalone. However, if you prefer reading a series in order, I also highly recommend Her Missing Pieces, a full-length novel that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.

Review & Giveaway - - The Legend of Meneka

The Legend of Meneka

by Kritika H. Rao

The Divine Dancers Duology - Book 1

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Release Date: January 21, 2025

Reviewed by Nancy

Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.

When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he challenges everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who she is—little by little—falling for, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home and the thrumming of her own heart.

Nancy's Thoughts:

 

I was excited about reviewing this book, a fantasy based on a culture American readers rarely see. Unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be as absorbing as I’d hoped it would be. While many things about it are superbly done, the way others were handled made this a very difficult book—at least for me—to get into. I’ll share the positives first and then discuss the problems I had, which may not be as much of a problem for others as they were for me. 

One aspect of the book that struck me immediately was the author’s excellent crafting of descriptions. As Meneka returns to Amaravati, the god Indra’s celestial city, this is what we see

(p. 7):

The city hums under my feet as I walk. . . . The rock-paved pathways glisten under the golden light. Somewhere a bird sings sweetly, holding a single warbling note that strums through my heart. Laughter echoes here and there though I see no one. The citizens are hidden within glorious buildings, ensconced in fragrant night gardens. The same gentle breeze that brought me back home rustles though the city, this time with scents of lightning and storm, scents that belong to Lord Indra. His magic spirals lazily through the city, tiny sparks that flicker and flash.

In this paragraph, we not only see what Meneka sees but understand what she feels at this homecoming. The description helps lay the groundwork for scenes of her anxiety over the city’s fate if Kaushika draws people from their worship of Indra. 

The supporting characters, for the most part, have depth that keeps them from being cardboard background figures, Rhamba, Meneka’s mentor, is loyal to Indra but also concerned about Meneka’s doubts as she prepares for her mission to seduce Kaushika. His students aren’t given as much in the way of layering, but the three most important, his two closest friends and Meneka’s close friend are sketched with enough detail to set them apart from the others. Students at Kaushika’s hermitage study magic. The ways they learn it, the difficulty Meneka has demonstrating some magic without revealing her celestial nature, and the mystery of what drives Kaushika are interesting.

I don’t bring much knowledge of Hindu mythology to the table, but I found the depictions of the gods and their relationships believable. I could appreciate the differences among them as shown in the story.

Kaushika’s desire to worship Shiva and his dislike for Indra, coupled with his attention to his students, came across as likeable from the outset. Only later does the reader learn there is a darker, but still understandable, purpose behind what he’s doing.

On the downside, I wasn’t able to root for Meneka until about halfway into the story. When we meet her, she’s engaged in seducing a queen who must be punished for turning her people away from worshipping Indra. Meneka’s job is to make the woman so enthralled with her that she won’t be able to function effectively after Meneka leaves. Punishing someone for not worshipping one’s god isn’t a goal I can get behind.

Meneka is uncomfortable with using her sexuality this way and wants this to be her last mission. Her concern, though, is that she not perform these missions. She has no issues with someone else doing so.

Later in the story, we learn that Indra supposedly depends on people’s prayers to empower him so that he can help them, which might be a better reason for wanting them back in the fold if it were consistently the case, but Meneka isn’t trying to turn this queen—and doesn’t intend to turn Kaushika—back to worshipping Indra. She intends only to punish them.

Only as Meneka begins to have doubts about Indra does she become more sympathetic for me. Her philosophical discussions with other students, which she intends to seed doubts about Kaushika’s view of asceticism and his devotion to Shiva, twist around on her and seed doubts about Indra. Rao creates these twists very effectively.

Another problem I had with the book is that, although this is sold as a romantasy, Meneka and Kaushika spend almost no time together until about page 100. Once they did, their philosophical jousting and their attraction to each other made them an intriguing pair.

My biggest problem with the book, though, is that it abounds with unfamiliar words, only some of which are in the glossary at the front. These words are rarely explained in context. We don’t get references to “gandharvras, Indra’s celestial musicians,” in the story. We get gandharvras doing something with no explanation of what they are.

Every time I have to stop reading and look something up in the glossary in the front, it pulls me out of the story. So I would look up a word, go back to the story, run into another unfamiliar word, go to the glossary and discover it isn’t there, which is extremely frustrating, and so on. By the time I’ve run across three of four more unfamiliar words, I’ve forgotten what the first word I looked up means and have to stop and look it up again the next time it appears.

If I don’t know what a word means, I don’t have a complete picture of what’s happening in the story. Of what choices mean. Of what things look like. This yanks me out of the story every single time.

There may be readers who just skip over unfamiliar words and don’t worry about them. That’s fine. To each her own. But I need to know what I’m looking at and what it means. When the author says a character’s “dhoti flapped in the wind,” I need to know what a dhoti is (are?). So I don’t know what’s happening and am yanked out of the story wondering about it.

By about chapter eleven, when Kaushika and Meneka are spending more time together, I had finally absorbed the meanings of the words that appeared most often and so was able to stay immersed in the story. Their relationship had become interesting, and her character’s conflict as she tried to decide what was true and right and trying to reconcile these new idea with her old beliefs had me really engaged.

We learn that Kaushika’s dispute with the other sages isn’t entirely due to their intransigence. While his motives and goal make sense, his actions could have dire consequences. Meneka finds herself caught between conflicting loyalties and, in resolving them, gains priceless insight into her own motives and actions.

In summary, I found the first third of the book hard to read, partly because I didn’t like Meneka and partly because unfamiliar words kept yanking me out of the story. I would give that part of the book one star. The second two thirds or so, however, drew me into the building, push/pull romance and Meneka’s inner conflicts. The action was superb, and so was the character development. That part of the story is a five. So I averaged them and came up with three.

Readers should be aware that the romantic storyline resolves but the external plot does not, at least not fully. The story presumably will continue in the next book.

Recommended.

3 Stars

~Nancy

Do unfamiliar words pull you out of a book? 

How do you handle that? Do you stop to look up the word or just skip over them?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 20 will receive a hard copy of The Legend of Meneka.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review - - The Secrets of the Rose

The Secrets of the Rose

by Nicola Cornick

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Release Date: February 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.

Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.

PJ's Thoughts:

Two women. Two periods of time. Both facing danger and difficult decisions. Bound together by a mysterious talisman entrusted to their keeping. 

It took but a few pages to pull me into this book. Nicola Cornick used historical facts, a superbly detailed sense of place, intriguing characters, and life or death events to immerse me into 18th century Northumberland and the lives of Dorothy Forster, those who supported her, and those who meant to use her for their own gains. I was immediately invested in this woman and eager to discover the entirety of what actually happened to her all those years ago. 

Equally compelling is the present-day character of Hannah Armstrong. Growing up in Bamburgh Hall, the very same home in which Dorothy lived, Hannah has always been fascinated with this historical character. A writer, Hannah has been contracted to write a biography about another historical woman in the area but she keeps being pulled back to Dorothy. As the stories of both Dorothy and Hannah unfold in alternating chapters of this book, it begins to become evident that they have more in common than Hannah would ever have guessed and that just as Dorothy faced peril at the hands of those closest to her, so too may Hannah.

Cornick brought these characters, events, and places to life in vivid detail that immersed me into their worlds and kept me there until the final page. The secrets of the rose are slowly unveiled as the story progresses, bringing with them a touch of magic that transcends the centuries. The romantic elements also are slowly developed organically and believably, allowing friendship and love to grow at its own pace. The danger in both centuries kept me glued to the pages, fearing for those in whom I was already invested while trying to guess which characters - in both eras - are friend or foe. And, the hall, the castle, the village, and the shoreline of this corner of England have me itching to book a trip and go exploring. 

I enthusiastically recommend The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick. It ticked all of my happy reading boxes. 

Winner - - Spiral

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

Spiral by Bal Khabra is:

Jenny B

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Celebrity Crush

Celebrity Crush

by Christy Swift

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she’s determined to become the latest social media sensation.

When her secret celebrity crush (the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero) accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?

PJ's Thoughts:

Okay, who among us has nurtured a celebrity crush at some point in our lives? Who has daydreamed about what it might be like to meet that person, have chemistry with that person, even - OMG - date that person! That is the premise of Celebrity Crush, a new romcom by Christy Swift that had me laughing, swooning, and gasping at the twists and turns of this engaging story.

First of all, kudos to Swift for turning this Cinderella trope into a realistic escapade, giving it a bit of heft among the glitz and glamor. These characters are not perfect. They have issues. They have flaws. They make mistakes. And yes, I still cheered them on. Give credit to Swift's character development in creating empathy for the main couple even when they're being jerks (yes, they both take a turn at that) while also imbuing them with enough everyday humanity to make them relatable. Is their behavior cringe worthy at times? You bet. But then there are those other times when they're funny and sweet, when their banter sparkles and unexpected feelings tug at the heart. It's an intriguing blend that kept me happily turning pages, knowing this is totally what I would expect from stereotypical celebrity culture while at the same time rooting for a happy ending for the single mom who does TikTok dances with her daughter and the celebrity single dad who does his own cooking and puts his little boy's happiness above all else. 

If you're looking for a fun, escapist, celebrity romp, give this one a try. Best enjoyed with a big bowl of popcorn. Buttered, of course. 

  

Review - - Get Lost With You

Get Lost With You

by Sophie Sullivan

Rock Bottom Love - Book 2

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

Jillian Keller took the long route to her best life, but is now happily settled in her hometown of Smile, raising her little girl alone while helping her brother run Get Lost Lodge. A lover of structure and routine, she doesn’t need anyone disrupting her carefully curated life.

After chasing and achieving his culinary dreams, Levi Bright realizes he’s still missing something he can’t find in a big city. Returning home to Smile, he intends to build a different future for himself, including reconnecting with family and friends, and creating elevated comfort food for a town he loves.

When Levi and Jilly run into each other, past feelings that never had a chance to bloom flare between them… but she’s been hurt before, and falling for her older brother’s best friend seems like a recipe for drama. But sometimes, a second chance at love leads you right where you’re meant to be.

Santa Says:

Get Lost With You by Sophie Sullivan is the second book in her Rock Bottom Love series. Don’t worry, this five star book can be read as a stand alone, too. The book takes place in the idyllic small town of Smile. Everyone and everything about the island makes you want to take the ferry over and have a slice of pie at Pete’s.

Jillian Keller came home again with her daughter Oliie after a disastrous marriage and divorce. Her focus is on her daughter and her brothers’ restoration and launching of The Get Lost Lodge. They hope to attract groups to the lodge to take advantage of the surrounding hiking trails, group activities and great food the lodge would offer. Jillian is not looking out for herself. She is still hurting from her marriage to trust anyone else.

Levi Bright returns to Smile after going off to culinary school. He carved out a very good living. He was head chef in a successful restaurant in Burlington, Vermont but something was missing. He really didn’t connect with anyone there. Levi comes back to Smile to figure out what the next steps look like. As soon as he set foot there again he really felt like he was home again. 

Jillian and Levi run into each other very quickly. Kind of hard not to when Levi was the best friend of Jillian’s older brother. Immediately sparks fly. Levi was Jillian’s school girl crush. Levi had started to have feelings for her before he left.  Levi would like nothing more than exploring those sparks. Jillian is a bit more cautious. However, the fates, and we readers, want to see if second chance romances are real. Circumstances both personal and professional toss these two together more and more.

I, for one, was all for it. Sophie Sullivan writes so beautifully about how love approached with caution and care can bloom into something gorgeous. This is what Jillian and Levi’s relationship was like. Two people with very human traits and faults still able to overcome obstacles that really were no match against their blooming love. 

Review - - There's Something About Mira

There's Something About Mira

by Sonali Dev

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: February 1, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Mira Salvi has the perfect life—a job she loves, a fiancé everyone adores, and the secure future she’s always imagined for herself. Really, she hasn’t a thing to complain about, not even when she has to go on her engagement trip to New York alone.

While playing tourist in the city, Mira chances upon a lost ring, and her social media post to locate its owner goes viral. With everyone trying to claim the ring, only one person seems to want to find its owner as badly as Mira does: journalist Krish Hale. Brooding and arrogant, he will do anything to get to write this story.

As Krish and Mira reluctantly join forces and jump into the adventure of tracing the ring back to where it belongs, Mira begins to wonder if she is in the right place in her own life. She had to have found this ring for a reason…right? Maybe, like the owner of the lost ring, her happy ending hasn’t been written yet either.

PJ's Thoughts:

There's something special about There's Something About Mira. It's my favorite of all the books Sonali Dev has written. I usually enjoy her stories but this is the first one that has kept me reading until 3:00 in the morning and still thinking about the characters many days later.

Mira is so intriguing. I thought I knew everything about her in the first chapter of the book but, no, there are many, many layers to be discovered about this character. Layers of which even Mira is unaware. I love the moment of fate that projects Mira's life in a different direction from the one that has been directed by her parents since birth, leading to new friendships, unexpected adventures, healed relationships, opportunities to carve her own path in life, and a deep, enduring love. 

The journey Mira embarks upon is eye-opening, emotional, heart-wrenching at times, joyful at others, but ultimately empowering, uplifting, and so very, very good. Dev brought these characters to life in such a way that I never once felt like I was reading about them. I was with them, all of them (primary and secondary), every step of the way experiencing the highs and lows of the obstacles life - and the people in their lives - placed in their way. 

If you enjoy a beautifully nuanced story about parental expectations, social issues, fate, finding yourself, and opening your heart to both love for yourself and the love others choose for themselves, pick up a copy of There's Something About Mira. It's one of the best books I've read in a while.