Tour Review - - Point Last Seen

Point Last Seen

by Christina Dodd

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: July 26, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

LIFE LAST SEEN

When you’ve already died, there should be nothing left to fear… When Adam Ramsdell pulls Elle’s half-frozen body from the surf on a lonely California beach, she has no memory of what her full name is and how she got those bruises ringing her throat.

GIRL LAST SEEN

Elle finds refuge in Adam’s home on the edge of Gothic, a remote village located between the steep lonely mountains and the raging Pacific Ocean. As flashes of her memory return, Elle faces a terrible truth—buried in her mind lurks a secret so dark it could get her killed.

POINT LAST SEEN

Everyone in Gothic seems to hide a dark past. Even Adam knows more than he will admit. Until Elle can unravel the truth, she doesn’t know who to trust, when to run and who else might be hurt when the killer who stalks her nightmares appears to finish what he started…

PJ's Thoughts:

She's done it again, delivered a gripping, edge-of-my-seat thriller that kept me compulsively flipping pages from the breath-stealing beginning to the heart-stopping end. Is it any wonder that each new book Christina Dodd releases goes straight to the top of my reading list?

I've been reading Dodd's books for more than 20 years, beginning with her historical romances then following her as she transitioned to contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal, and suspense thrillers. While I've enjoyed her stories in all sub-genres, I believe it's with her current thrillers that this prolific author has found her best, most authentic voice, creating compelling stories that have, quite literally, kept me reading all night long. 

Point Last Seen showcases Dodd's best assets. Her ability to set the stage creates an immersive, sensory experience. Her main characters are intriguing, a bit mysterious, fully developed, and never fail to engage my emotions. I was fully invested in both Elle and Adam and the outcome of the challenges in their paths. I loved their layers, the bits and pieces of themselves that were strategically revealed as the story progressed. 

Then there's the supporting cast. I always enjoy the quirky characters who populate Dodd's books, helping to move the story forward while at the same time offering opportunities for pops of sly humor as well as the many twists waiting to surprise the reader around the next turn. 

It doesn't matter how many of Dodd's books I read, those surprising twists never reveal themselves to me until the author deems it appropriate. It's that kind of writing that keeps me glued to the pages, has me gasping with surprise, that twists my emotions into a pretzel, surprises me with laughter in the midst of chaos, and guarantees that whenever she publishes a new book, I'll be first in line to snag a copy. 

I highly recommend adding Point Last Seen to your summer book-buying list. It's one of my best reads this year. 

Review - - Booked on a Feeling

Booked on a Feeling

by Jayci Lee

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: July 26, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Lizzy "Overachiever" Chung, Esq. has her life mapped out neatly:
* Become a lawyer. Check.
* Join a prestigious law firm. Check.
* Make partner. In progress.

If all goes to plan, she will check off that last box in a couple years, make her parents proud, and live a successful, fulfilled life in L.A. What was not in her plans was passing out from a panic attack during a pivotal moment in her career. A few deep breaths and a four hour drive later, Lizzy is in Weldon for three weeks to shed the burnout and figure out what went wrong. And what better place to recharge than the small California town where she spent her childhood summers with her best friend, Jack Park.

Jack Park didn't expect to see Lizzy back in Weldon, but now he's got three weeks to spend with the girl of his dreams. Except she doesn't know of his decades-long crush on her--and he intends to keep it that way. She's a high-powered attorney who lives in L.A. and he's a bookkeeper at his family's brewery who never left his hometown. He can't risk their friendship on a long shot. Can he? When Lizzy decides that the local bookstore needs a little revamp, of course, Jack is going to help her bring it back to life. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore there might be more than just friendship among the dusty shelves and books...

Sometimes the path to the rest of your life has been in front of you all along.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun, feel-good story! This one had me grinning pretty much the entire way. I just loved these two so much! The way Jack looks at Lizzy, the way he thinks her quirks are so adorable, the way he is always there for her, the way he understands and appreciates her love of books... Is it any wonder I fell for him as hard as Lizzy does?

Friends-to-Lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and one this author does very well. Jack and Lizzy have been best friends for twenty years, since the age of ten. It's evident in the comfort level they share, the freedom to tease and joke around, their rock-solid support and belief in one another, the deep affection, and the openness and honesty that is the foundation of their relationship. Well, except for that one little thing: the fact that Jack Park has been in love with Lizzy Chung for almost his entire life. 

Lee guides Jack and Lizzy through this journey with almost flawless execution. Their unexpected, gradual transition from friends to lovers occurs alongside their individual journeys of personal growth in a way that feels real and authentic. Each of them is at a professional crossroads, with looming decisions that will impact family expectations as well as personal relationships. Lee allows the gravity of those decisions to play out with necessary emotional introspection, giving it the gravity it deserves while also balancing it with the lightness, humor, and sweetness of the ever-deepening dynamic between Lizzy and Jack. 

As with her previous books, Lee also immerses the reader in the Korean-American culture of her main characters. I enjoy the inside view of these families; their traditions, expectations, food (yes, I drooled), and differences. The dichotomy between Jack's parents and Lizzy's is quite striking. 

I also appreciate the approach the author takes with Lizzy's anxiety and Jack's feelings of unworthiness, issues so many people deal with. It makes these characters even more relatable and it makes their growth, as evidenced by their eventual life-changing decisions, and ultimate HEA, even more satisfying. 

I'm already excited to discover what Jayci Lee has in store for readers next. In the meantime, I enthusiastically recommend adding Booked on a Feeling to your summer reading list.   

Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway - - Double Dog Dare

Double Dog Dare

by Tracy Solheim

Milwaukee Growers Football - Book 2

Publisher: Sun Home Productions

Release Date: July 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

They say he who dares wins…

Luke Kessler is known for his daring play on the field and his carefully scripted life off it. The Growlers’ wide receiver has a strict rule of dating one carefully chosen woman per season, then letting her down gently. After all, his game is football, not love. That is until his dopey mutt falls for a French bulldog owned by a hot mess of a woman whose sassy mouth and mind-blowing curves have him fumbling his best laid plans.

After a humiliating concert performance played out in front of the world on social media, cellist Summer Pearson has sworn off a career in music. Forever. She’s hiding out with her grandparents in Milwaukee, licking her wounds and preparing for a predictable, if not boring, law career. The last person she needs challenging her life choices is a sexy, dog-rescuing jock who loves his grandma as much as he loves a good dare.

Especially when that same guy is dating her perfect cousin.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've already read this book twice. I have no doubt I'll probably read it again. As much as I enjoyed the first book of Solheim's Milwaukee Growlers Football series, I loved this one even more. Such a funny, swoony, heart-tugging, sassy, feel-good story! 

There are so many facets to this story it's impossible to claim only one as my favorite. The team dynamics are spot on with the scenes featuring the Growlers players among some of my favorites in the book. I can't be the only one eager for the QB's story. And then there's the rookie receiver. What an endearing character; I just wanted to hug him. The seniors are by turns hilarious and poignant, bringing me to laughter and tears more than once. And don't get me started on the dogs. Scene stealers, the both of them! 

But it's Luke and Summer who captured my heart. I laughed with them, cried with them, ached with them. I loved these two so much! Solheim did an outstanding job of creating two multi-layered characters with emotional baggage and complex family dynamics who I couldn't help but root for. Their journey was filled with laughter, sexy shenanigans, achingly poignant sweetness, surprising revelations, and, of course, a happily ever after, in more ways than one. 

Whether you love football, dogs, music, or just a fast-paced, fun, contemporary romance that will tickle your funny bone, touch your heart, and keep you eagerly flipping pages from beginning to end, I recommend adding Double Dog Dare to your reading list. 

~~~~~~~~~

Tracy Solheim joins us today to share a bit about her writing process and her Milwaukee Growlers. Welcome, Tracy!

Thanks for inviting me to the dish today, PJ! I’m excited to tell readers about my new book featuring hunky football players, adorable dogs, zany senior citizens, and a happy ever after for two people who don’t think they deserve one. But first, I thought I’d pull back the curtain and give readers a peek inside an author’s process.

Writing a novel is a solitary endeavor for most authors. We spend hours each day wrestling with our keyboards to make the words in our head sound just as exciting on the computer screen. But for each of us, our process is very different.

I know a lot of authors who can’t write unless they are streaming a television show in the background. I’m always stunned by this because if it’s a good show, I’m usually sucked into watching in the first few minutes, and there’s no way any words will flow for me until the show is over. Except then, I’ll have to binge the entire series.

Other writers like to park themselves in a coffee shop or library to get their words down. I’m too easily distracted by the conversations—both verbal and non-verbal—going on around me to get any writing accomplished outside of my writing cave. And if you don’t think we authors use the little tidbits we hear around us, think again! So if you’re going to argue with someone on your cellphone, put it on speaker so we can listen to both sides. 😊

Still, other authors use music as background noise while they write. I used to be able to do that when I was working in non-fiction, but not so much anymore. I’ve tried streaming one of those “brain music” apps to get the words flowing, but all that did was remind of the dentist’s office, and then I was too stressed to write.

            That’s not to say that music doesn’t play a big role in my books. I often associate certain bands or genres of music with my characters and scenes. Never more so than in my upcoming book, Double Dog Dare. Summer Pearson, the book’s heroine, is a YouTube famous cellist who has lost her edge after a humiliating performance streamed all over social media. Originally, I planned to make Summer a classically trained musician, but that seemed too serious for her. Instead, I wrote her as a musically gifted woman who possesses relative pitch and can play any tune by ear. In the book, she performs music from every genre, including a lot of recent pop hits. I enjoyed coming up with a playlist for her various performances. If you’re interested, I have a link to the playlist for you here.

            Do you like to listen to music while you work? I’ve got a signed print copy of Double Dog Dare for one of you (international winner will receive a digital copy) along with some fun swag. Just tell me in the comments your favorite genre of music. My playlists are pretty eclectic, everything but heavy metal and hard rap.

 

Tour Review - - Grace Under Fire

Grace Under Fire

by Julie Garwood

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 19, 2022

Reviewed by Kitty

Grace Isabel MacKenna has a hundred things to do today. Killing someone isn't one of them. It is supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.

Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.

Kitty's Korner:

I have read Julie Garwood books in the past  but haven’t read anything from her for quite a while, so when PJ asked me if I’d like to reacquaint myself with this author and to write a review, I readily agreed.

Grace Under Fire is a contemporary romance between Isabel Mackenna and Michael Buchanan that is summed up in one word- fun.  It was fun to watch these two characters connect despite their best efforts to keep away from each other.  It was also fun to vicariously enjoy the sometimes bigger-than-life scenarios that these two experience.  

The characters in this light-hearted romance (with a dash of mystery) are engaging, as are their plentiful cast of supporting characters-whose backstories suggest that there are previously released books that tell their stories.  

If you enjoy a light, entertaining story that may leave you wanting more, then Grace Under Fire should be part of your summer reading list- Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~

 

GRACE UNDER FIRE by Julie Garwood

Berkley Hardcover | On sale July 19, 2022

Excerpt

Chapter One

 

Isabel MacKenna had a hundred things to do today. Killing someone wasn't one of them.   

She had such high hopes this morning when she dragged herself out of bed at the ungodly hour of five a.m. She had made detailed plans for the day that lay ahead, and she would have sailed through them if two unfortunate incidents hadn't waylaid her. The first was an irritating inconvenience; the second, a terrifying nightmare. 

Scheduled to take an early flight on a no-frills, but supercheap airline to Boston, she arrived at the airport in plenty of time to go through security. She was dressed for comfort in a pair of snug jeans and a light pink T-shirt. Her long blond hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore a Red Sox baseball cap her brother-in-law, Dylan, had given her. She checked her luggage, which was packed for a trip to Scotland the following week, and carried her backpack that held everything she would need for the next few days. It was so stuffed she was pretty sure it weighed more than she did. The first time she attempted to swing it over her shoulder she nearly did a backflip. Fortunately, once she was on the plane, another passenger helped her lift it into the overhead compartment.   

She had been assigned a window seat, and she planned to go to sleep as soon as the plane took off. In hindsight, perhaps her expectations were naive. From past experience she had learned that there was never anything smooth or easy about flying, and today was no exception. Once she boarded, she was trapped, and a flight that should have taken a little under three hours ended up taking seven and a half, thanks to the fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants airline and the mechanical problems they were sure maintenance could fix in no time at all. The captain made the passengers sit on the plane for two full hours before they were allowed to go back into the terminal to continue their wait while repairs were completed. After another grueling hour passed, they were told a relief plane was being flown in to take them to Boston. Apparently, the fix-it-in- no-time-at-all plane couldn't be fixed.   

It was a miserable flight. It began with Isabel plastered up against the window while two overly friendly college students in the seats next to her took turns hitting on her. They seemed to be in some sort of competition to hold her attention and get her phone number. One was in his seventh year at a college in Arizona. In the course of his monologue he sheepishly admitted he still didn't have enough credits to graduate. The other one was in his third year at Colorado State and had changed his major so many times he couldn't remember what it now was. Isabel thought maybe there was a little something extra baked into the cookies he was munching on. She was pretty sure he was stoned.   

Being polite to the nonstop talkers took effort, for exhaustion was pressing down on her . . . and no wonder. She had gotten only three hours of sleep the night before, and the last several weeks had been brutal, with papers due and finals to study for, not to mention packing up almost everything she owned and shipping it back home to Silver Springs, South Carolina, leaving only some of her clothes and personal items. Finally, graduation. She had hoped both of her sisters would be there for the ceremony, but Kiera, the older of the two, was in the middle of a demanding medical residency and couldn't take time off from work to attend. Her other sister, Kate, and her husband, Dylan, were there to see her walk across the stage and get her diploma. She was on her way now to meet them at Nathan's Bay, Dylan's family home just outside Boston. Judge and Mrs. Buchanan, Dylan's parents, were celebrating their anniversary, and their big family was gathering for the occasion. Isabel was happy to be invited to the festivities. The Buchanans were so warm and welcoming, and she looked forward to a week of fun and relaxation.

Then she and Kate were off to Scotland to see Glen MacKenna, the property she would soon inherit from her crusty and-she had it on good authority-horribly mean great-uncle. The land was located in the Highlands, and Isabel was anxious to see it. Kate and Dylan had given her the trip as a graduation present.   

After she returned from Scotland, her plans were uncertain. Maybe the trip would give her some insight into what her future would be.

Once the plane was in flight to Boston and the incessant chattering of her seatmates had died down, Isabel rested her head against the porthole window. She was feeling horrible. She had thrown up-a couple of times, as a matter of fact-as soon as she'd rolled out of bed, and now her head was pounding. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but the drummer banging away on the inside of her eyelids wouldn't let up.

~~~~~~~~

Here's an introduction to today's guest reviewer. Welcome, Kitty!

A little info about myself…as an avid reader for as long as I can remember (my long-suffering husband has been known to say “Oh…another book…where will you put it…?) I enjoy several genres including biographies and historical drama, historical romance, contemporary romantic mysteries and romantic suspense.  As you can tell, I read mostly for pleasure. Books are not my only vice- I’m also a musician (a flute player) and enjoy traveling, scrapbooking, sewing, and trying to stay one step ahead of my cat. I am a native Floridian with a husband, two grown children and three grandchildren.  Having recently retired from an almost 40-year career in retail, I am looking forward to indulging in all these activities as well as adding a few more to the list!

Review - - The Littlest Library

The Littlest Library

by Poppy Alexander

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: July 19, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

A little red telephone box full of stories, a chance to change her life...

Jess Metcalf is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, Jess’ life is turned upside down.

Determined to pick up the pieces, Jess decides it’s time for a new beginning. Unable to part with her grandmother’s cherished books, she packs them all up and moves to a tiny cottage in the English countryside. To her surprise, Jess discovers that she’s now the owner of an old red phone box that was left on the property. Missing her job at the local library, Jess decides to give back to her new community—using her grandmother’s collection to turn the ordinary phone box into the littlest library in England.

It’s not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their literary magic—bringing the villagers together... and managing to draw Jess’ grumpy but handsome neighbor out of his shell.

Maybe it’s finally time for Jess to follow her heart, let go of her old life, and make the village her home? But will she be able to take the leap? 

PJ's Thoughts:

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander is a delight. It made me want to journey to a small English village, fill an empty phone box with treasured books, sip gin and tonics with locals, and fall for the hunky, grumpy guy next door. That's not asking too much, is it? ;-) 

This was my first book by Poppy Alexander. It won't be my last. Her scenic descriptions transported me to the rural village of Middlemass. Even though I've never visited England I could easily visualize the area in my mind's eye, from the twisty roads, to the bustling seashore, to the meadows of wildflowers, and more. The depictions of her characters were just as vivid. These were people who were interesting, people I wanted to get to know. Well, maybe not all of them but in this case a few rotten apples did not spoil the whole bunch. 

This is Jess's story and I was with her the whole way. She's such an empathetic character. My heart ached for the hand life had dealt her but, oh, how I loved her kind and genuine heart. It was so rewarding to watch her evolve, to see the positive impact her actions had on the villagers, and, finally, share in the happiness and satisfaction she found herself. She's one of those characters you can't help but root for. Like Jess, I had a close, loving relationship with my late grandmother so it was especially poignant to read all the ways in which her grandmother continued to have a positive impact on Jess, and through her grandmother's beloved books, on others within the Middlemass community.

If you're looking for a feel-good story this summer, with quirky characters, heart-tugging emotion, humor, and hope, all set in the lovely British countryside, give this one a try. 

Winner - - Always Be My Duchess

 

The randomly chosen winner of 

a print copy of

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is:

flchen1

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Sanibel Sisters

Sanibel Sisters

by Hope Holloway

Shellseeker Beach -  Book 4

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: July 15, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

As the found family in Shellseeker Beach prepares for the high tourist season, excitement is in the air as the new Sanibel Sisters boutique opens. Eliza navigates the possibility of a second chance romance, but an unexpected fear is slowing things down.

Her daughter has decided she is all in with a man she once thought was all wrong, but efforts to help him out of a bind threaten to backfire. And when Katie finally opens her heart to the first true love of her life, her stepsister’s arrival suddenly changes everything.

PJ's Thoughts:

Hope Holloway's debut Coconut Key series set a high bar last year. I fell in love with the characters, the setting, and the author's writing style. I fully expected to enjoy the books in this year's Shellseeker Beach series but I did not expect to have the same visceral reaction to them as I had with those set on Coconut Key. I was wrong. 

In book four, we return to Sanibel Island with another story I couldn't put down. The focus in this book is sisters, a theme with the ability to generate great depths of emotion...and conflict. Holloway explores both as she skillfully guides her characters through the ups and downs of life, love, forgiveness, understanding, reunions, and life-changing realizations, all the while flawlessly balancing the intricacies of multiple storylines. It's a beautiful tapestry woven together using the individual threads of these members of found family that reside within Shellseeker Beach. 

Reading each book in this series is like returning to a favorite place populated with friends who have become family. Holloway perfectly captures the vibe of Sanibel Island, immersing me in that unique Southwest Florida atmosphere that I love and miss. Then there are her characters: realistic, relatable, and emotionally engaging. I feel as if we've been friends for years. I'm invested in their journeys, their happiness, aching when they're in pain, celebrating with them during times of joy and success. I know them. I care for them. And I can't wait to read more about them. 

If you have not yet discovered Hope Holloway, I highly recommend adding her to your summer reading list. Her books are closed-door, contemporary romance/women's fiction with an abundance of humor, hope, and heart-tugging emotion. As with her earlier Coconut Key series, each Shellseeker Beach book builds upon the previous stories. For that reason, I strongly recommend beginning this series with Sanibel Dreams and reading the remaining books in order. There are seven books in the series, which will be completed by November, 2022. The books, in order, are:

Sanibel Dreams

Sanibel Treasures

Sanibel Mornings

Sanibel Sisters

Sanibel Tides - August 19, 2022

Sanibel Sunsets - September 16, 2022

Sanibel Moonlight - November 18, 2022

Winner - - Remember Love

 

The randomly chosen winner of a 

print copy of

Remember Love by Mary Balogh is:

Kim

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - You Were Made to be Mine

You Were Made to Be Mine

by Julie Anne Long

The Palace of Rogues -  Book 5

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Reviewed by Santa

The mission: Find the Earl of Brundage’s runaway fiancée in exchange for a fortune. Child’s play for legendary British former spymaster, Christian Hawkes. The catch? Hawkes knows in his bones that Brundage is the traitor to England who landed him in a brutal French prison. Hawkes is destitute, the earl is desperate, and a bargain is struck.

Fleeing a savagely shattered dream, the sheltered Lady Aurelie Capet finds refuge in an alias and the warmth and kindness of the Grand Palace on the Thames—until a gorgeous, mysterious disturbance to her peace literally topples through the door.

An unexpected, fierce desire that feels destined, dangerous—and devastatingly sweet—ignites between the sheltered beauty and the jaded spy, and as they slowly unravel each other's shocking secrets Hawkes closes in on the truth about the earl. Soon it’s clear they can have no future without vanquishing the past: Hawkes knows that loving her means avenging her. Aurelie knows that loving Hawkes means freeing him to do that, no matter the cost.

Santa Says:

You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne Long is another triumph in her Palace of Rogues series. This was a five star review for me. You know from the first page Hawkes and Aurelie were meant to be. And what better place to find one’s forever love than the Palace. But their journey doesn’t start in England but in post-war Paris. Lady Aurelie Capet is engaged to the Earl of Brundage but has mysteriously disappeared. Brundage engages Christian Hawkes who was released from a French prison for espionage. Someone betrayed Hawkes just as he was about to reveal the identity of an English traitor who cost hundreds of British lives in a battle led by General Blackmore, now the Duke of Valkirk. YES, that Duke from Julie Anne Long’s equally wonderful After Dark with the Duke. 

Hawkes agrees after looking at a miniature of Aurelie. He tracks her to England and, serendipitously, to the Palace. He literally falls at her feet, as does the rest of the house when Dot opens the door. He had just been stabbed. Dot’s screams bring the maids, who also scream and faint, and everyone to the foyer as the half dressed captain and viscount fly over balusters to see what the screaming is all about. All the while Aurelie moves forward, kneels and tends to Hawkes' wounds. It is at once the funniest and most poignant scene in the book. 

I love Julie Anne Long’s writing style and how she uses wit and physical humor to tell her stories. Her love scenes are sublime. Not only do these two fall in love with each other they fall in love with the family they find at the Grand Palace on the Thames. This found family, with Dot and Mr. Delacourte and all the others adds such warmth and dimension to Aurelie's and Hawke’s story. 

I look forward to the next installation of this series. Can’t wait!

 

Review & Giveaway - - Always Be My Duchess

Always Be My Duchess

by Amalie Howard

Taming of the Dukes - Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: July 12, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can't break a man's heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution . . . 

Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.

Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts.

PJ's Thoughts:

From beginning to end, I was utterly enchanted by this first book in Amalie Howard's new Taming of the Dukes series. The storyline is fresh and original (with an underlying nod to rom-com favorite, Pretty Woman), and features main characters not often seen in historical romance. Add in sensual love scenes, heart-tugging romance, a fake engagement, plus a gender-flipped rescue and...well...I was pretty much a goner.

Lysander (Stone, to his friends) stole my heart as surely as he captured Nève's. There are so many layers to this neurodivergent character and Howard captured them beautifully. Her depiction of him balanced the genius of his logical mind with his inability to quickly assess the emotional aspects of decisions and situations, creating misunderstandings along his journey while further endearing himself to me, the reader. The authenticity of his character traits created a fully-developed, nuanced individual with a deep capacity for love...with the right person. The right person being an unemployed French ballerina with a head for business, a well of integrity, and a core of steel. I adored her. 

Nève is the perfect counterpart to Lysander. I loved her passion, her strength, her kind and genuine heart, but also her refusal to compromise her worth. The chemistry between them sizzled but Howard took her time with them emotionally, moving their relationship forward at just the right pace, allowing a gradual and realistic deepening of feelings, especially on Lysander's part. She also used dance, central to Nève's being, as a vehicle to convey emotion. Her lyrical descriptions showcased her personal knowledge of ballet while also creating scenes that played across my mind like a movie. 

The secondary cast of the book were vibrantly depicted, adding humor and a richness to the story as well as fraught conflict (nasty villains but don't worry, justice is served). I especially enjoyed the friendship that developed among the five women (including Nève). Howard used their scenes to not only further develop Nève's character but also allow readers glimpses into each of their characters in advance of what I hope will be more stories. And, their participation in the final, swoon-worthy declaration was an absolute delight. Laughter and (happy) tears. 

If you have not yet discovered Amalie Howard's Always Be My Duchess, I enthusiastically recommend adding it to your summer reading list. It's one of my favorite historical romances this year and one that I have no doubt I'll revisit again. 

Have you read Amalie Howard yet? 

Do you enjoy characters that are outside the historical romance mainstream?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 14 will receive a print copy of Always Be My Duchess.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited