Review & Giveaway - - Inventing Mr. Darcy

Inventing Mr. Darcy

by Susanna Craig

Publisher: Severn House Romance and Saga

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

A truth universally acknowledged: enemies attract!

Grad student Elle Bradshaw is on the cusp of completing her literature PhD. And while life beyond college is terrifying, spending her evening fixing a database malfunction with gorgeous yet grumpy tech geek Fisher Davis is worse. He infuriates her while making her heart race—it’s a distraction she doesn't need!

When a fluke geomagnetic storm leaves them trapped together during a blackout, the fiery kiss that follows is unexpected—and explosive. But catastrophically, the storm also wiped Jane Austen from existence! Now, Elle’s the only person to remember Pride and Prejudice and, it seems, romance itself.

As Elle navigates a world so familiar, yet not her own, she realizes she might just need to put her pride to one side and ask Fisher for help. Could the guy who was once her enemy turn out to be her very own Mr. Darcy . . . ?

PJ's Thoughts:

Whether you've read Jane Austen or not, those of us who read modern-day romance owe a debt of gratitude to the author whose works have inspired multiple generations of readers and writers who love happy endings. Now, imagine what would happen if, without warning, Austen disappeared from our collective memories, leaving only one lone grad student from Minnesota with the memory of Austen and her books. How far would the ripples of that lost literary - and real life - happiness extend? That's the premise of Susanna Craig's Inventing Mr. Darcy. 

As a long-time fan of Craig's historical romances, I was curious to discover what she had in store for readers with this new contemporary romcom. It started out a bit slow for me. Others may have a different experience but for the first third of the book, while I found the characters interesting, I struggled to connect with them. That all began to change the closer the story got to the halfway point. 

The book really hit its stride for me by the 50% mark. The pace picked up and I found that emotional connection I had been looking for, surprising myself with which character touched my heart the most. Spoiler: It was not the one I thought it would be.

Peeling away the underlying layers of Elle and Fisher brought forth the dreams, challenges, and emotional depth of both characters. Their growing feelings, vulnerabilities, intriguing layers, and personal growth brought them to life. I became totally invested in them, their personal relationship, their professional dreams, and in the Austen dilemma, eagerly turning pages to discover what would happen next.

I truly did not know how Craig would resolve the issues facing our lead couple, especially the "disappearing Jane" angle, but am happy to report that everything was wrapped up with a lovely, satisfying, believable bow in the end. 

I don't know if this book was a one-off or if Craig has more contemporary stories in her pocket but whichever direction she takes with upcoming books, I do know that I'll be buying them. 

If you're looking for a contemporary romcom with an original plot, snappy banter, enemies-to-lovers romance, a touch of spice, and a feel-good happy ending, I recommend giving Inventing Mr. Darcy a try. 

Have you read Susanna Craig yet?

What's your favorite contemporary romance trope?

Have you read Jane Austen? What's your favorite Austen novel?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 21 will receive a print copy of Inventing Mr. Darcy. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review - - The Cloak and Dagger Club

The Cloak and Dagger Club

by Jackie McMahon

A Cloak and Dagger Club Mystery - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 14, 2026

Reviewed by Santa

London, 1930. Lucy Hubbard is on the cusp of achieving her dreams. With her first mystery novel debuting with strong sales and glowing reviews, she's been invited by Horace Hazelmoor, the king of crime fiction, to join his elite group of writers—the Cloak and Dagger Club.

Thrilled at the opportunity, Lucy finds herself swept up into Horace's glamorous world at the Ritz hotel. She's even willing to put up with the inconvenient presence of her former fiancé, Frank Murray, the club's rising star who is on track to eclipse Horace as Britain's most popular crime writer.

But when Horace is found with a knife in his back, Frank is the police's prime suspect. Despite their complicated history, Lucy knows he's not capable of murder. With suspects galore and the danger rising, these two mystery writers must race to solve the crime—and fight their lingering feelings for each other—before the murderer strikes again.

Santa Says:

The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon is a murder mystery that takes place in 1930s London. The book's title intrigued me but the story itself drew me in.  There is an interesting cast of characters who are popular mystery writers of their time all with secrets and intrigues of their own. Horace Hazelmoor, the club’s founder, is the keeper of those secrets and intrigues which he enjoys dangling over them all. Horace craves the spotlight the success of his books brings him but when someone’s light starts to overshadow his there is hell to pay.

The latest interlopers are his mentee Frank Murray whose books are starting to gain ground on his. Lucy Hubbard, a debut novelist, has written her own sleuth who is popular with both readers and critics alike. This is not to be supported! Even juicier in Horace’s eyes is the fact that Frank and Lucy share a past. They were set to wed a few years ago when it all crumbled to dust. They had not seen each other at all in the past three years.

Horace invites Lucy to join the club’s Saturday meeting at London’s Ritz. This is a surprise that wreaks havoc on Frank and Lucy’s life in more ways than one. On the way into the room, Horace provokes Frank and they have an argument. Once in the room, Horace relishes his hold over everyone and becomes increasingly drunk and belligerent. He provokes a usually quiet member of the club to punch him in the face knocking him to the floor. The meeting ends in chaos and the men get Horace back to his room to sleep it all off.

Horace does not sleep it off as he is found dead the next morning. Each of the members are called back to the hotel for questioning and it becomes clear that Frank is a prime suspect based on his loud exchange witnessed by several people in the hotel. Lucy and Frank band together to puzzle out why Frank went to the head of the queue and who the real culprit or culprits are who were responsible for Horace's death.

Throughout their investigation we get a better understanding of the other members and their secrets. Frank and Lucy work through their own demons, pasts and the secrets they bear. It turns out they grew up together and their love story started when they were teens.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I usually don’t read traditional mysteries or early 20th century settings. I am delighted to say I may very well be a convert!  I struggled writing this review because I didn’t want to give too much away and spoil the book for anyone!

The story was so well thought out and the characters were well rounded by the end. The ending also offered a glimpse of how this club grows and moves on while still holding a bit of intrigue. Grab a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed.

Review & Giveaway - - A Hard Habit to Break

A Hard Habit to Break

by Siera London

The Calvary Brothers - Book 2

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Release: August 11, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

At age eighteen, Rachel Johnson left Service, West Virginia with a college acceptance letter, a broken heart, and a blueprint for a new life. Now the star architect is back, for two weeks, and not a second more, for her dad’s wedding—and zero intention of rekindling old flames. But when she’s roped into the town’s redevelopment committee to bring much needed resources for the community, she finds herself face-to-face with the committee chair ... her ex, Noah Calvary.

Firefighter Noah volunteered for this assignment to further his career, not to work with Rachel. A born competitor, Noah isn't thrilled to share the spotlight with the woman who once left him in the dust, but to help the town, he figures he can play nice. And his success could clinch the promotion he’s been angling for.

Rachel’s got vision and a partnership at her firm on the line. Noah’s got a promotion to protect. And every decision is a battle of wills. Their history is messy, but their chemistry is explosive. Between small-town politics, big-time rivalries, and sizzling glances, Noah and Rachel must decide if they’re laying the foundation for professional disaster or finally building something real.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been looking forward to book two of the Calvary Brothers series since reading Fake It Till You make It (Amarie and Eli - click to read review). This time around it's Noah's turn and this former childhood friends, teenage sweethearts, second-chance romance brings all the feelings. 

I enjoy the second-chance trope, especially when the author takes her time with the couple as London does. She allows Rachel and Noah the time to sort the issues that led to their breakup after high school. They are also given time necessary for individual growth as well as growth as a couple. It may feel like a slow progression to some but, for me, it felt organic and realistic. 

The characters, both primary and secondary are well developed and relatable. I was in Rachel's corner from the get-go. I understood her reasons for leaving Service when she did, her reasons for returning (albeit temporarily), and I appreciated the life she had built for herself in the interim. Noah took me longer to warm up to. In fact, for the first part of the book I didn't like him all. But I think those negative feelings were essential to allow him the time to reflect and mature. By the end of the book I was firmly in his and Rachel's camp and fully supportive of the decisions they made. 

There are many relationships threaded throughout the book - family, friendship, and romantic. I loved the relationship between Rachel and her dad and I found new the relationship between Rachel and her future stepmom very heartwarming. Noah's family was also a favorite, as they were in book one. The sibling dynamic among Noah and his brothers is spot on and their mom, as in the first book, was also a favorite in book two. I love how they call him out on his behavior. 

Rachel's bestie, who accompanies her back to Service, is a hoot. He flat out steals every scene he's in. I do hope we'll see more of him in future books. 

There's one more brother who needs to find his happy ending. I don't know what London has planned for him or when his book will be published but I'll for sure be picking up a copy when it is. 

For readers new to this series, while there are continuing characters from book one, you should be able to start with A Hard Habit to Break without feeling confused or lost. Though I do recommend both.

Have you read Siera London yet?

Do you enjoy a book series that features connected characters, such as siblings, friend groups, etc.?

What are you reading now?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 22 will receive a print copy of A Hard Habit to Break.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

  

 

Review - - Pride Comes Before a Fall

Pride Comes Before a Fall

by Virginia Heath

Miss Prentice's Protegees - Book 3

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Despite his many responsibilities, there is nothing Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, takes more seriously than the safety of those he loves. When one of his sisters is injured at a protest rally, he drags his family to Bath for the summer to keep his reckless and rebellious siblings out of harm’s way. The only flaw in his plan is his overwhelming but inexplicable attraction to the new chaperone he has hired to watch out for them. An outspoken conundrum of a woman who soon causes him more trouble than both his sisters combined...but who calls to his soul regardless.

From the moment Portia Kendall read her first revolutionary pamphlet beneath her bedcovers at Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, she realized that her true calling was to make the world a fairer place for the masses downtrodden by the aristocracy. A calling that led her to Equitas, a radical newspaper that champions reform. But as Portia discovers, writing doesn’t pay the bills. To make a living, she must push aside her principles and serve the very people she criticizes weekly in her column. A temporary position as a chaperone in the home of a pompous duke seems like the perfect way to earn enough to follow her heart. Unfortunately, the duke who hires her seems to be more dashing and noble than pompous and soon begins to call to her heart too—as much as she tries to deny it. But dare she risk her principles for love or will her pride always come before a fall?

PJ's Thoughts:

Pride Comes Before a Fall follows another graduate of Miss Prentice's School for Girls as she makes her way into the world, tumbling into unexpected love along the way. While this third book of the series has some humorous scenes, overall it's tone is decidedly more serious than the previous two. 

There's some snappy banter between Portia and Leo as well as chemistry but there's also plenty of conflict. Leo is an overprotective brother who believes his way is always the right way. Portia is a political reformer who pens opinion pieces for an underground newspaper taking the aristocracy to task for rampant inequality and unfair treatment of those citizens without the rights of the "quality." 

Both are obstinately set in their ways which leads to some tense situations and more than a few frustrating points in the book where I was tempted to give up on them but they do, eventually, unbend enough to finally work things out. 

Complicated family dynamics also play a part in the ongoing evolution of the main characters. Leo's mother was one of my favorite characters. I loved how she took her son to task and also how she supported and advocated for Portia. 

While the humor wasn't as pronounced in this book (no laugh out loud moments for me), there was considerable depth as Leo and Portia needed to grow as characters, opening their minds, hearts, and willingness to compromise before they could claim their happy ending. 

While Pride Comes Before a Fall isn't my favorite of the series, it's still a solid read with complex characters, intriguing history, complicated family dynamics, and a hard-won happy ending. 

Review - - Help Wanted, Cowboy

Help Wanted, Cowboy

by Nan Reinhardt

Juniper Falls Ranch, Book 3

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

When a family emergency brings cowboy Rory Pearson home to Marietta, he hires on to Juniper Falls Ranch for seasonal work. He’s hoping to explore an intriguing family legend. Armed with research and his grandfather’s stories, Rory thinks he’s ready, but nothing goes as planned. Then a sweetly sexy nurse propositions him.

Nurse Millie Sparks is tired of playing it safe. She’s been too focused on her education and career and romance and adventure have passed her by. Staying on the ranch to care for a patient with a tricky pregnancy, Millie’s interest in Rory is immediate. He offers to teach her to ride, and she wonders if the lessons could extend to something else she’s been hiding.

It’s a game of flirtation and fun. Feelings can’t be serious. But as the clock ticks down, hearts interfere, and saying goodbye just got way more complicated.

PJ's Thoughts:

Sweet Western romance with plenty of plenty of heart. Nan Reinhardt's new series is building another community of characters I'd be happy to hang out with, on paper or in real life. I love how realistic they all are, with charm, flaws, and believable life challenges. I laugh with them, shed tears with them, and experience those deep emotional connections that keep me coming back for more.

Help Wanted, Cowboy brings readers the story of Rory (a bull-riding, kitchen-savvy cowboy) and Millie (a midwife working for Rory's boss). What fun these two are! I fell hard for Rory. He's such a sweet, honorable, family-loving guy who falls first and hard. Millie's journey take a bit longer (she doesn't believe in love) but is all the more satisfying for it. The banter and flirting between these two is pure gold.

Secondary characters are spot on, filling in the story with humor, wisdom, and emotional depth. There's even a bit of a mystery surrounding a lost family heirloom that may be fact or fiction. It all weaves together to form a story brimming with friendship, romance, and heart set on a working ranch under the vast, blue Montana sky. I'm all in and already looking forward to the next installment in the series. 

 

 

 

Review - - Formula Zero

Formula Zero

by Meredith Lanzen

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Reviewed by Nancy

  

Madeline Clarke didn't think her life would be all fun and trophies after earning her spot in the solar system's most elite zero-gravity racing circuit, but she definitely thought it'd be better than this. Aside from being a female pilot in a male-dominated sport, her boss is a controlling jerk, her estranged father is a beloved figure from her team's past glory days (and an absolute ass), and she's performing so poorly she risks losing her contract. And worst of all, there's Julian Casperi.

Julian was Clarke's childhood best friend and is a rising star in the league. The dance between them has always been complicated, but when Clarke walked away from her feelings years ago and Julian didn’t stop her they became nothing more than competitors—until Clarke gets into a near-fatal accident on the track and Julian comes to her rescue.

Now back in each other’s orbits, the tension between them is at an all-time high. But navigating their relationship might be the least of Clarke’s problems. Things keep going wrong on the track, and she suspects there's something shady at play. If she wants to come out on top, she needs to move fast and make bold choices—about her team, her future, and her heart.

 

Nancy’s Thoughts: 

Formula Zero is a fun friends-to-lovers romance set in a future that has space travel, people living on parts of the solar system other than Earth, and high-speed racing on planets and in space. The characters are likeable, the romance is mostly handled well, and the worldbuilding is generally detailed and interesting. 

I’m not a fan of Formula One racing, which appears to have inspired the racing aspects of this book, but the race scenes are interesting without delving so deeply into the process as to take over the story. The descriptions of the race courses, including obstacles and changes, are clever and intriguing. 

Clarke races to win. Her ship isn’t in good shape, though, so her successes come despite her equipment and the lack of support from team management. The problem never get  fixed. She shrugs it off and tries not to let it bother her. It does, however. Now designs for next year’s ships for the team are under discussion, and no one consults her. Things don’t look good for her future. 

On top of that, her friendship with Julian is becoming increasingly strained. The attraction between them has always been strong, but they agreed to set it aside rather than have it offer a publicity distraction while they’re racing. Unfortunately, ignoring it is becoming increasingly difficult. My one problem with the way this is handled arose when Julian tentatively reached out, only to have Clarke lash out at him in a way that seemed immature. I was glad to see that this was an isolated reaction. From that point on, the relationship push-pull was both believable and sympathetic. The emotional tension was extremely well done. 

Julian also wants to win, but he keeps an eye out for Clarke. He knows she isn’t getting the support she should, but even he doesn’t realize quite how bad her situation is. As the story progresses, he plays an important role in resolving her problem. 

When Julian was just getting into racing, he lived with Clarke’s family. His own family lives on a colony near Jupiter, and traveling from there to Earth isn’t easy. Lanzen says navigating through the asteroid belt is what makes the trip so difficult. This reference stopped me because the asteroid belt is in the plane of the ecliptic. It isn’t a sphere encasing the inner worlds. A ship could chart a course over or under it, relative to the plane of the ecliptic, and not go through it There may be reasons not to do that, but those reasons aren’t shared with the reader. 

The interaction between Clarke’s family and friends, including Julian, is lovely. The wider family grouping includes Julian’s mom when she can make it to Earth and the moms of a friend of Clarke and Julian who died in a race. The three started in racing together, so his memory is a silent presence with Clarke or Julian when they race. 

I was puzzled that Clarke is the only main character consistently referred to by her last name. Julian is always Julian, not Casperi. 

I enjoyed Formula Zero a lot even though it’s written in present tense, which is not my favorite. But I’m rating the book as four stars, not five, mostly because of the problems I had at the end. The worldbuilding, as I said, is generally good, but it falls down when it comes to the actual ships the characters race. They are never described. My mental image, which may be different from that of other readers, is based on a Formula One car with a rocket pack and an enclosed cockpit. At the end of the story, Clarke has to catch something important on the front of Julian’s ship. There’s nothing to stop it sliding off the front, which actually tips when the object’s weight lands on it. And if it’s no wider than a Formula One car, and has a smooth surface, how does anything not fall off immediately? I just did not believe that scene because I didn’t have an image of the ship that would make it believable. 

In this scene, Clarke also breaks a bone in one foot operating the ship but has no trouble continuing to operate it. Nothing explained how she was able to do that. When a character suffers a broken bone, I expect difficulties to flow from that, but none did here. She later comments that her foot hurts, but she didn’t seem to notice than when applying pressure to it immediately after the injury. I liked the action and choreography, but these problems kept me from fully buying into it. 

Overall, story is a lot of fun and moves at a good pace. The characters are well drawn and engaging.  I recommend this book. 

Nancy

 

Review - - Nearly a Bride

Nearly a Bride

by Sabrina Jeffries

Lords of Hazard - Book 2

Publisher: Kensington Books

Release Date: April 28, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

After more than a decade separated from his home and family, the Earl of Heathbrook returns to his London townhouse to face a new test: reclaiming guardianship of his younger brothers. His reputation as a rakehell, it seems, has followed him from detention inside Napoleon’s France and caused his own father to block Heathbrook’s rightful custody in his will. However, the clever rogue concocts a plan to restore respectability and rescue his siblings . . . by finding a “fiancée” with no strings attached.

Giselle Bernard is not looking to wed an earl with a wild past. All she seeks is a connected nobleman who can legally secure her new life in England and head off a mysterious stranger’s threats. Posing as Heathbrook’s bride-to-be would surely benefit them both. But as revelations come to light—the ill-fated young affair that left Heathbrook embittered, and the mademoiselle’s own guarded secrets—their engagement charade may unexpectedly blossom into a promise to love, honor, and cherish . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

Imagine being a 17-year-old forced to accompany your father on a trip to France then spending the next eleven years detained, then imprisoned, by Napoleon. It's the type of experience that leaves a person fundamentally changed, not to mention the changes to everyone and everything left behind in England. That's the premise of this new series from Sabrina Jeffries who has created two books, so far, that have been hard to put down.  

This second book in Jeffries' new trilogy kept me engaged from start to finish. I admit, fake engagement is one of my favorite romance tropes and it's done so well in this book. Giselle and Heathbrook are on equal footing when the deal is struck which, for me, made it even more enjoyable. Each needs the other, neither wants a permanent relationship, and, oh, how much fun it is when those pesky romantic feelings enter the picture.

I really enjoyed the different relationships in this book, those among friends, family, and couples. There are more than a few twists that impact those relationships as well as the progression of the story. But I also enjoyed how the evolution of the relationships revealed facets of individual characters. Giselle's deepening bonds with Heathbrook's brothers, in particular, not only gave readers additional insight in her character but helped Heathbrook repair his sibling relationships as well as open his eyes to possibilities between him and Giselle. 

I love character growth in a book and in this one, Heathbrook has a boatload of growing to do. It was immensely satisfying to watch his evolution and the results of it upon his family, his relationship with Giselle, and his overall outlook upon life. By the end of the book, I was firmly in his corner and cheering the person he had become. 

If you enjoy historical romance with secrets, complicated family dynamics, witty banter, slow-burn romance, a bit of a mystery, surprising twists, and a hard-won happy ending, give Nearly a Bride a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Tour Review - - Thistlemarsh

Thistlemarsh

by Moorea Corrigan

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Reviewed by Nancy

In the wake of The Great War, the world is a decidedly unmagical place for Mouse Dunne. She once dreamed of becoming a Faerie anthropologist, but with one telegram, her world shattered. At the Battle of the Somme, her cousin’s body disappeared into the mud, and her brother was left

with debilitating shell shock. It was time, she knew, to put aside childish dreams.

When Mouse receives news that her uncle has left her the Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, a dilapidated manor in the English countryside, she must leave her brother’s side and return to her

childhood home to claim her birthright. But there is a catch in her uncle’s offer: If Mouse does not rehabilitate the crumbling house in one month’s time, she will forfeit her inheritance and any hope of caring for her brother.

It quickly becomes clear it’s impossible to repair the manor in the allotted time, until a mysterious Faerie appears with a proposition. He offers to restore Thistlemarsh...for a price.

Mouse knows better than to trust a Faerie—especially one so insufferably handsome and arrogant—but she is out of options. There are dark and magical forces at work in the house, and

Mouse must confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her heart or lose Thistlemarsh, and herself, in the process.

Nancy’s Thoughts:

Thistlemarsh is an engaging fantasy romance with some dark undertones. The romance grows slowly amid hints that something is not right. Mouse doesn’t know whether the problem is something about Thornwood, the Faerie attempting the repairs or arises from the magic infesting the house and interfering with the repairs or comes from something else altogether. As the story

progresses, the hints that something is off become more common but are never clear. Corrigan does a good job of making them troubling but so cryptic that Mouse’s failure to act on them,

despite her efforts to decipher the clues, is understandable.

Mouse is easy to root for. Because she has few good memories of life at Thistlemarsh, her first impulse is to waive her claim to the house. If she does, however, she loses not only the house but

the money that comes with it to a spiteful, selfish cousin. The same thing happens if she fails to restore the house sufficiently to satisfy her uncle’s solicitor. Unless she has that money, she

cannot pay for the convalescent home where her brother lives.

Thornwood is more enigmatic. He can be snide and arrogant, but he also has unexpected moments of kindness. As he and Mouse seek to unravel the magic that’s impeding his repairs, 

her courage and cleverness earn his trust and respect. A bond slowly forms between them.

Not everyone is happy about Mouse’s decision to work with a faerie. Mouse’s one childhood friend in the village, John, the vicar, doesn’t want to hear about faeries. The gardener, Mr. Hobb, who was friendly with Mouse when she lived at Thistlemarsh, avoids Thornwood. While their attitudes trouble Mouse, she has no alternative to helping Thornwood proceed.

The world is generally built in detail. The woods, the magical traps, and the house itself are beautifully drawn. The story incorporates Mouse’s experiences as a nurse on the Western Front in ways that add depth to her character and texture to the world.

Most of the supporting characters have enough depth to make them seem real. The main exception to that is Mouse’s nasty cousin, Anthony Carlyle. He seems one-dimensional in his

meanness. He truly is awful in his few appearances in the story, but I would’ve liked to see a little, tiny something more to him. I also wanted some deeper reaction from Mouse to his fate in

the story.

John tells Mouse the villagers disapprove of her staying at the house with Thornwood, but we never see the villagers’ disapproval. We only hear about it. And this disapproval seems

inconsistent with their attitudes at the end of the story.

Finally, a supporting character who appears late in the story initially insists on staying out of the confrontation Mouse is preparing, but this character later takes a pivotal role, which seems inconsistent. I would’ve liked a little more motivation for that. I wasn’t happy that this character’s actions overshadow Mouse’s in solving the big problem.

Despite those concerns, the final resolution to the story was satisfying overall. I was especially impressed with the way so many things about Thistlemarsh and some of the characters turned out to be not what they seemed. These revelations were surprising, but the story laid enough groundwork for them to be believable. Mouse’s relationship with Thornwood suffers a

devastating blow. The way she handles it at the end may not work for every reader. Although I expected a little more motivation for her decision, I found it believable.

Thistlemarsh offers a detailed magical world, a problem with clever, interesting magical twists and turns, and engaging characters. I recommend it.

Review - - Can't Get Enough of the Duke

Can't Get Enough of the Duke

by Lenora Bell

The Thunderbolt Club - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

War hero Deckard Payne, Duke of Warburton, made a battlefield promise to become guardian to orphan Analise Crewe. He certainly didn’t agree to marry the girl! But that’s exactly what happens when he’s forced to wed her to save her honor.

The last thing Analise wants is a loveless marriage to a brooding—albeit handsome—duke who lives in a gloomy castle and keeps his doors—and his heart—tightly locked. He’s determined to keep her at arm’s length—but she’s not easily deterred when there’s a tough case to crack.

Warburton never wanted a wife. Especially an inquisitive and far-too-pretty whirlwind who upends his regimented life. Her sunny, winning ways charm everyone she meets and soon she’s unearthing buried secrets, plotting love matches, and shining light into even the darkest of hearts…his own.

PJ's Thoughts:

Do you enjoy a lively guardian/ward trope? How about grumpy/sunshine? Scandal-forced marriage of convenience? Age gap (it's the Regency, not that unusual)? Sparkling banter? A bit of danger? You'll get all that and more in Lenora Bell's newest book, Can't Get Enough of the Duke. 

To be honest, I couldn't get enough of Analise. If anyone in this book should be grumpy and disillusioned, it's her. Yet she's the one who lifts the spirits of everyone around her. Yes, she's young and a bit naive, impetuous, and too curious for her own good but her heart is in the right place. I adored her. I want to be friends with her. I want to bask in the sunshine of her indomitable spirit. And, let's face it, so does the duke...even if it takes him the majority of the book to realize it. 

Dex (the duke) needs some sunshine in his life. This man is darkness personified. Still struggling with the horrors of the battlefield, physical and emotional wounds, and the pain of personal betrayal, he's encased his heart in ice that shows no signs of thawing. It feels like his rigid rules are the only things holding him together, until little Miss Sunshine comes along and threatens to blow everything to smithereens. I do love watching those "I will not fall prey to love" heroes come apart at the seams. 

If you like spice, you'll get plenty in this book, including a hero who tries to take command in all areas of his life, especially the bedroom. It feels a bit imbalanced in the beginning, especially with the age difference, but it doesn't take long for inexperienced Analise to grow into her own power and even the playing field. 

As an added bonus, there's a book within this book. Analise is an author who has written a fantasy romance with a cursed dragon whose emotional evolution coincidentally parallels that of her own dragon-like Duke of Warburton. A passage from her book begins each chapter of this book and sets the stage for what's to come. I can't be the only reader who found herself just as invested in the outcome for the dragon as the outcome for the dragon-like duke. 

Do you enjoy age-gap romances?

Have you read Lenora Bell? 

The books in Bell's The Thunderbolt Club series are inspired by beloved musicals. Can you guess which musical inspired Can't Get Enough of the Duke?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 9 will received a signed, paperback copy of You're the Duke That I Want, book one in The Thunderbolt Club series.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script

Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script

by Erin Knightley

Publisher: Hearthstone Reach Publishing

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Hildy Dannaher has got to get it together. Between her high-profile divorce, the sale of her home, and the looming deadline for the most important script of her career, she doesn’t have time for a coffee break, let alone a nervous breakdown. But when she discovers her late mother’s memory box, Hildy’s long-suppressed need for answers quickly overshadows everything else in her life.

Realizing she must address the gaping holes in her own story before she can move on with writing another, she flies halfway around the world to the tiny sea-side village where her mother was raised. The L.A. to County Kerry culture shock is real, but she soon feels a connection to this, her ancestral home.

She’s charmed by the land, its people, and even her unexpected sheepdog roommate, but her focus remains on the questions that brought her here: Who is Hildy’s father, and what happened nearly forty years ago that caused her pregnant mother to flee Ireland, never to look back? The problem with going off script is she has no way of knowing if there will be a happy ending, or if she’ll end up more heartbroken than ever.

PJ's Thoughts:

 

Oh, how I have missed Erin Knightley! For me, Knightley's historical romances always guaranteed well developed characters, intriguing storylines, and an enjoyable reading experience. This new book, the first in several years, a contemporary women's fiction/romance blend, serves up the same.

I was drawn into Hildy's life from the start and happily followed along on her Irish quest for answers. Knightley brought the small seaside village in County Kerry to life, from the bucolic sheep farms amidst rolling emerald hills, to the lively camaraderie at the local pub. And then there are the vividly drawn citizens who bring a rich Irish texture to the overall story. I couldn't get enough of them. Okay, maybe not the snippy cashier at the local grocery but every town has one, right?

I enjoyed how Hildy's journey was interwoven with the lives of the locals she befriended and especially how those new relationships influenced her search for her roots. Knightley kept the suspense of those answers central to the story while keeping me guessing as to what the answers - if any - would be. It kept me eagerly flipping pages right up until the reveal.

The romance, while not the central focus of the book, is a lovely addition to Hildy's Irish experience. I was in this unexpected couple's corner the entire way, hoping for a happy ending.

SPOILER: I was not disappointed.

I hope Knightley has more books of this type in her writer's pocket. I was thoroughly charmed. I'm also ready to book a flight to Ireland!