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skyhazzard's reviews
1038 reviews
The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
First half of this book I was kind of bored and wasn’t really connecting with the characters but about halfway through it was like a switch had been flipped. Suddenly I understood the characters actions and had deep emotional attachment to them. I cared about what was going to happen. It was a wild ride reading this book.
Our main character Rose is a bit of a con artist, she comes into town, sets her sights on someone, takes their money and leaves but she’s doing all this to help take care of her brother who is severely disfigured. She ran away with him at seventeen along with a few others she met and they have been taking care of him ever since.
Avendale spots her while she’s looking for a mark and can’t take his eyes or mind off her. He’s desperate to have her and she takes advantage of the situation while also battling feelings he brings up in her.
When I tell you I had no feelings for this man but the second he discovers her secret and her brother that all changed. This man was so kind and considerate. He treated her brother like a person and not once did he react to his disfigurement. He took the time to listen to him and understand him and developed a genuine connection. He realized the reason Rose would take everything in and try to absorb it was so that she could go back and tell her brother about the things he was missing having to hide away to avoid facing ridicule. And he helped him have real experience in a safe space. My option of him did a 180.
Our main character Rose is a bit of a con artist, she comes into town, sets her sights on someone, takes their money and leaves but she’s doing all this to help take care of her brother who is severely disfigured. She ran away with him at seventeen along with a few others she met and they have been taking care of him ever since.
Avendale spots her while she’s looking for a mark and can’t take his eyes or mind off her. He’s desperate to have her and she takes advantage of the situation while also battling feelings he brings up in her.
When I tell you I had no feelings for this man but the second he discovers her secret and her brother that all changed. This man was so kind and considerate. He treated her brother like a person and not once did he react to his disfigurement. He took the time to listen to him and understand him and developed a genuine connection. He realized the reason Rose would take everything in and try to absorb it was so that she could go back and tell her brother about the things he was missing having to hide away to avoid facing ridicule. And he helped him have real experience in a safe space. My option of him did a 180.
Three Schemes and a Scandal by Maya Rodale
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was fun but it took me a bit to get into. I liked Charlotte from when we met her in the series but I feel like it took awhile for me to be invested in her and James, maybe cause we hadn’t met him and gotten to know him like we did her. But by the end I was really enjoying them together.
Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so fun! This was historical romance meets Overboard as Drake finds the thorn in his side Ophelia laying in the river and comes to realize she doesn’t remember who she is. To humble her he tells her she’s his servant, intending for it to only last a day or so before he takes her back home. But between her vexing him and him realizing maybe her accident wasn’t quite an accident the charade goes on longer than intended.
Despite not feeling like a servant Ophelia does try her best and she actually makes friends with the housemaid nextdoor. And without her past plaguing her Drake realizes she’s not as bad as he once thought. This new version of her intrigues him and he realizes there’s more to her than meets the eye.
I loved the chemistry between them and then their scenes where he’s trying to convince her she’s the maid were hilarious. We do uncover some dark things in both of their pasts so it’s not all fun and games.
Despite not feeling like a servant Ophelia does try her best and she actually makes friends with the housemaid nextdoor. And without her past plaguing her Drake realizes she’s not as bad as he once thought. This new version of her intrigues him and he realizes there’s more to her than meets the eye.
I loved the chemistry between them and then their scenes where he’s trying to convince her she’s the maid were hilarious. We do uncover some dark things in both of their pasts so it’s not all fun and games.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Murder
When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was fun but the age gap felt a little icky to me even though I’ve read worse. Idk something about her being 19 and him being 28 and the fact that they’ve known each other since she first fell in love with him at 7 and he 16, idk just every time I remembered I was like ugh.
I did feel for this Lovingdon though. He’d done everything right: met a girl, fell in love, married her, they both were each others first times, had a baby and then his wife and daughter die. He’s lost his reason to go on and decides to drown his woes in debauchery because what has being good got him. The whole “I can’t love another because I can’t handle the pain of them someday leaving” was another thing that bothered me in this book, he kept having feelings but would be like what are these because I can’t possibly be in love with her, I forbid it. Like take some accountability and sort through your emotions!!
Grace I did think was fun and I liked that she didn’t act like a respectable lady all the time. She kept throwing him for a loop when she’d show up at random hours, drink his liquor, or be out having a cigar with the girls. She had a secret she had been keeping and was worried about how her potential future husband would react to it. Which her secret was something I don’t think I’ve read about in historical so it was interesting to read about.
I did feel for this Lovingdon though. He’d done everything right: met a girl, fell in love, married her, they both were each others first times, had a baby and then his wife and daughter die. He’s lost his reason to go on and decides to drown his woes in debauchery because what has being good got him. The whole “I can’t love another because I can’t handle the pain of them someday leaving” was another thing that bothered me in this book, he kept having feelings but would be like what are these because I can’t possibly be in love with her, I forbid it. Like take some accountability and sort through your emotions!!
Grace I did think was fun and I liked that she didn’t act like a respectable lady all the time. She kept throwing him for a loop when she’d show up at random hours, drink his liquor, or be out having a cigar with the girls. She had a secret she had been keeping and was worried about how her potential future husband would react to it. Which her secret was something I don’t think I’ve read about in historical so it was interesting to read about.
Kiss the Sky by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This took me awhile to read cause I started it at the start of a reading slump but I finally made it through!
It did take a little bit getting used to reading from Rose and Conner’s POV cause I’m so used to Lily and Lo. I love everybody but it is a completely different dynamic. We also had the whole new setting of them filming a reality show so that changed up the vibes as well. And omg can I just say that I hate Scott so much and I just want karma to come back around and run him over hardcore. Like there is a circle of hell reserved just for him.
It did take a little bit getting used to reading from Rose and Conner’s POV cause I’m so used to Lily and Lo. I love everybody but it is a completely different dynamic. We also had the whole new setting of them filming a reality show so that changed up the vibes as well. And omg can I just say that I hate Scott so much and I just want karma to come back around and run him over hardcore. Like there is a circle of hell reserved just for him.
To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was OBSESSED reading this. This had perfect Beauty and the Beast vibes while also changing it up. One of my favorite aspects of BatB is that Belle doesn’t backdown and instead holds her own against the Beast and Helen had that in spades. Alistair tries getting rid of her and she just keeps coming back, she is a woman on a mission and will not let this grumpy man ruin it.
Helen also has two children and I really enjoyed their bits and watching Alistair get all soft around them. I was just like shut up this man loves these kids.
It was just so good and I was a sucker for it.
Helen also has two children and I really enjoyed their bits and watching Alistair get all soft around them. I was just like shut up this man loves these kids.
It was just so good and I was a sucker for it.
She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this one, it felt like it went by really fast, but at the same time it felt like something was missing. I think I wanted more pining and moments where you thought something would happen. When they did kiss I wasn’t sure if it was actually happening or not and then I was just like wow okay we’re doing this. Afterwards I feel like things started happening faster, the pace itself didn’t feel weird but how we got there did. And tbh I did forget the uncle was lurking around.
Seducing Mr. Knightly by Maya Rodale
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had a blast with the final book in this series.
I loved the fact that Annabelle has been pining for Knightly ever since she first step foot in the papers offices (she has it down to the year/month/week/day) and has finally decided to do something about it, so she goes to the paper, her own column Dear Annabelle, to ask for advice. Her story became so popular people were mailing her in advice to try left and right and she would report back on if any of it had worked to attract the notice of the man she loves. Annabelle has always been rather quiet so this was quite a step for her in opening up and being more daring.
Meanwhile Knightly has been completely oblivious to Annabelle’s affections. His mind has been on his pride and joy: the paper. He also has some familial trauma he’s working through. But as Annabelle tries to gain his attention he begins noticing her in a new light and questioning…is he the Nodcock??
I loved the fact that Annabelle has been pining for Knightly ever since she first step foot in the papers offices (she has it down to the year/month/week/day) and has finally decided to do something about it, so she goes to the paper, her own column Dear Annabelle, to ask for advice. Her story became so popular people were mailing her in advice to try left and right and she would report back on if any of it had worked to attract the notice of the man she loves. Annabelle has always been rather quiet so this was quite a step for her in opening up and being more daring.
Meanwhile Knightly has been completely oblivious to Annabelle’s affections. His mind has been on his pride and joy: the paper. He also has some familial trauma he’s working through. But as Annabelle tries to gain his attention he begins noticing her in a new light and questioning…is he the Nodcock??
Snowed in for Christmas by Jaqueline Snowe
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so much fun and quite spicy if I do say so.
I loved how bright and bubbly Becca was and that she learned to embrace her shine and that if it was enough for her it'd be enough for the right person and anyone who says otherwise isn't worth her time. Harrison on the other hand is the opposite of her, mister grumpy gills but he does have a right to be. His parents favor and baby his brother over the other two and his ex wife really messed with his head.
Becca and Harrison actually had been on a date before but he ghosted her at the time because he was not ready for a relationship and figured she needed someone who could put in the effort with her. Probably not the best idea seeming they're neighbors.
Despite all that they end up trapped in a blizzard together, trying to deny their chemistry, and avoiding talking about the past. But what else is there to do when you're trapped with your hot neighbor.
I loved how bright and bubbly Becca was and that she learned to embrace her shine and that if it was enough for her it'd be enough for the right person and anyone who says otherwise isn't worth her time. Harrison on the other hand is the opposite of her, mister grumpy gills but he does have a right to be. His parents favor and baby his brother over the other two and his ex wife really messed with his head.
Becca and Harrison actually had been on a date before but he ghosted her at the time because he was not ready for a relationship and figured she needed someone who could put in the effort with her. Probably not the best idea seeming they're neighbors.
Despite all that they end up trapped in a blizzard together, trying to deny their chemistry, and avoiding talking about the past. But what else is there to do when you're trapped with your hot neighbor.
A Daring Arrangement by Joanna Shupe
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was okay. I don’t know if historicals set in America are for me, I just don’t find them as captivating as the European setting. I did like the chemistry between Nora and Julius but the whole plot of coercing him into pretending to be her fake fiance when he was drunk and then telling people as a fail safe didn't hit with me. And idk her former love Robert was kind of crazy.