Tag: historical

Review: The Young Man’s Guide to Love and Loyalty (Magic Emporium) by Clara Merrick

The romance was lacking and the ending was HFN not HEA. Disappointed because it wasn’t what I expected / what it promised to be.

2.75 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 218 pages. Published March 11th 2021

Blurb:

Loyalty is Lieutenant Owain Morgan’s watchword—loyalty to England’s Queen Elizabeth XII, to her daughter the Princess of Wales, and to the Royal Navy in which he serves. When his loyalty leads him into danger, an unseen something—or someone—lends a helping hand. Is he imagining it? Could it be a guardian angel? Or is it someone—or something—else?

Enter the intriguing Benjamin Fletcher. Owain knows that sharing a drink and a steamy afternoon together doesn’t have to mean anything, but Benjamin’s quiet charm works its way into his heart…. Until Benjamin turns up in the Earl of Essex’s retinue, that same Earl who, rumor says, is angling to marry the Princess of Wales and make her power his own.

Every encounter with Benjamin binds Owain’s heart more tightly to this enigmatic man yet tests his loyalty to Queen and Country. Will Owain be forced to choose between love and loyalty?

The Young Man’s Guide to Love and Loyalty is part of the Magic Emporium Series. Each book stands alone, but each one features an appearance by Marden’s Magic Emporium, a shop that can appear anywhere, but only once and only when someone’s in dire need. This alternate history contains princesses, palaces, steam trains, fumbling lovers, and a guaranteed HEA. 

Likes:

  • Alternate historical setting.
  • Women in positions of power.
  • Owain was an interesting character.
  • Lots of hints about what was going on behind the scenes.
  • The non-romantic plot.
  • Watching Owain try to figure out what was going on.

Dislikes:

  • I have no idea why Owain was pulled into the central plot.
  • There isn’t much romance.
  • Anyone who knows who Mab is figured things out much sooner than Owain.
  • Owain and Benjamin don’t spend much time together.
  • The emporium item wasn’t as special as others in past books.
  • HFN ending, not HEA like blurb promised.

I’m definitely a little disappointed in this book. A big part of that is because the story didn’t meet my expectations. I expected this to be a romance set in an alternate historical timeline. In reality, the romance, what little there is, is far from the most important thing going on.

Owain was an interesting character to follow. He’s a relatively normal guy for all that he’s a naval first lieutenant. He has no idea about anything supernatural or mystical, except for the fact that he gets repeatedly saved by a mysterious force several times within the first 8% of the book.

Despite this, Owain doesn’t think to look into that mysterious force. He just does his job, reporting to the higher ups about his latest mission. When he meets a handsome guy who seems interested in them, they waste no time sleeping together, and while Owain wouldn’t mind doing it again, there’s nothing that ties them together.

I think, if this story hadn’t been a part of a romance series, and was instead presented as an alternate history with a dash of romance, I’d have been happier. Because the non-romantic plot was interesting. Political plots, assassination attempts, betrayal and double crossing, mystical forces, and poor unaware Owain caught up in the middle of it all. I’m not sure why he was brought into things. Him being asked to help protect the princess seemed to come out of left field. Especially because he spent almost the entire book trying to piece together what was going on.

But Owain’s involvement with the princess did allow him to see Benjamin again. They didn’t spend a lot of time together, and there was none of the typical ‘getting to know each other and falling in love’ of a typical romance novel. It was more like Owain couldn’t stop wondering what was going on with Benjamin. Just one more mystery added to the list of things Owain didn’t fully understand.

Everything was explained eventually. Of course, any reader familiar with who Mab is figured out the basics much sooner than Owain did. Unfortunately, with how long it took for Owain to understand everything fully, the ending suffered. It’s definitely not a happily ever after. More of a happily for now. Which, again, I wouldn’t have minded if it wasn’t that the blurb guarantees a HEA (happily ever after).

My final gripe about the book was the item that came form the emporium. In all the other books, the item has been something seemingly random but super specific. Something that, without which, the happy ending couldn’t have been achieved. The item in this book could have been replaced with dozens of other things. In the end, it was nothing more than a distraction, instead of being of vital importance.

A part of me feels like I’m being too harsh on this book. It wasn’t bad. It just didn’t do what it promised. And honestly, it felt out of place in the series. Like maybe it had been written already and the emporium elements had been shoehorned in.

Series Review: The Traitor Lords Saga

A low angst historical series that had its ups and downs.

Series rating: 3.5 out of 5

Books:

Likes:

  • Low angst series.
  • Not much focus on homosexuality being immoral or illegal.
  • Each book had a main character who wasn’t wealthy.
  • Great side characters.
  • The difference in how all of the traitor lord’s sons dealt with the scandal.
  • Cozy reads.
  • Some mystery and drama.
  • All the main characters were likeable.

Dislikes:

  • The slow burn was too slow.
  • None of the romances flowed like a typical romance.
  • All of the endings felt abrupt.
  • Would have benefited from epilogues.
  • The acceptance shown towards the relationships felt a little unrealistic.

This was a great series to read in the fall. There was just something about it that made me want to snuggle under some blankets as I read. I think part of that was the low angst nature of the stories. Despite homosexuality being illegal and considered immoral, there wasn’t much mention of that in any of the books, which I appreciated.

I don’t know much about history, but I get the feeling that the author took liberties with many of the side character’s acceptance of the male/male relationships. None of the romances could have come to fruition without the help and acceptance of their staff. I do think the willingness of the staff to look the other way was due in part to how well they were treated, but there were times when it felt a little idealistic.

All the main character were likeable men, and the couples were all a good fit for each other. I liked that all of the couples had one man who wasn’t wealthy. It showed a bit more about how life worked back then, as well as allowing the men to bring different experiences and knowledge to the relationships.

My main problem with the relationships was how they were structured. Because none of the men wanted to risk getting in trouble by blurting out their preferences, all the romances were slow burn. And honestly, they were all a little too slow for my tastes. I don’t think a single romantic thing happened in any of the books before the halfway mark. This made for a lot of pining, which isn’t bad, but does get old after a while. It also means that a lot of the little romantic and physical gestures were missing from the books.

I liked that all three of the traitor lord’s sons was affected differently by the scandal. It led to a lot of variety in their situations and in the books themselves. There was some mystery and light drama involved in all the books, giving the non-romantic plot interest. 

I would have liked to see the men meet or get together at some point, as I have come to expect that in series. This is especially true since all three endings felt a little abrupt, and I think the books could have benefitted from epilogues.

Overall, not a bad series, but not my favorite thing in the world. I’m glad I read the books, and I might pick up more of the author’s historical novels in the future. But I think I’ve had my fill for a while.

Review: Lord Edwin Falls (The Traitor Lords Saga #3) by Adella J. Harris

My least favorite of the series.

3 out of 5 stars

 E-book. 301 pages. Published June 20th 2017 by Adella J Harris

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

Alan Brideson has almost everything his father wanted for him: a prosperous business he enjoys selling objets d’arts imported from the Far East, a good address in town, and if everything goes according to his plan, he will soon have the last piece–a titled bride and entry into the world of the ton. All he needs is to cultivate a friendship with someone who has influence, who can help him get his vouchers for Almack’s famed balls. If only he could understand why he keeps dreaming about a certain dockworker he hired. Surely it was only because the man was an interesting puzzle who could read the languages that passed through the office daily.

Lord Edwin Gilford, younger son of the Earl of Martford, was studying Eastern languages at Oxford when his father and older brother participated in the plan to kill the king, and when they ran from agents of the Crown, so he wasn’t a suspect, and he wasn’t there when all of the Martford property was seized. Unable to find a position as a clerk because of his father’s treason, he takes any job he can get on the docks, where no one asks about Ed Martin’s past. At least until he gets a job at the Brideson Warehouse and accidentally reveals that he can read the foreign words on the crates. When Mr. Brideson offers him a position as clerk, he knows he should refuse, but the interesting work and promise of a guinea a week is too tempting, almost as tempting as Mr. Brideson’s kindness.

Working so closely makes it impossible to deny their attraction. But as Alan gets closer to the vouchers and the future he’s worked so hard for, Edwin knows he will have to leave. There is no way Edwin can go unnoticed and unrecognized in the world of the ton, and he will not repay Alan’s kindness by ruining his chance for a titled bride, and being seen with the son of a traitor lord would surely do that.

Likes:

  • Both men are likeable.
  • Edwin is sympathetic.
  • Great side characters.
  • The focus on how hard it was to be poor.

Dislikes:

  • Allen was weirdly oblivious to his feelings.
  • Allen had a disconnect between the things he wanted.
  • Overall plot wasn’t super engaging.
  • Slow burn romance is too slow.
  • Ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.

This book is definitely my least favorite of the series. I liked both Allen and Edward, but the slow burn was too slow for my tastes.

Of all the sons of the traitor lords, Edwin has it the worst. His plight easily pulled at my heartstrings. The three year time gap between the first and second chapters was a good choice. It showed that Edwin had what it took to survive, as well as glossing over the worst of the things he had to do, which included selling himself.

I was pleasantly surprised that there was a focus on someone who was poor. That’s not usually the case in the historical novels I’ve read in the past. Edwin’s struggle was constant. But it also took up a significant portion of the story. Edwin’s character, as well as his daily focus, was centered around money. It didn’t leave a lot of time for him to think about romance or to do anything romantic.

There’s definitely an imbalance between Allen and Edward in terms of economics. All of the little gestures were made by Allen – the gifts and meals and comforts. It helped to show that Allen was a nice guy. He treated his household staff and employees well, earning their trust and respect. When Edwin gave back, it was in terms of helping Allen’s business – just more evidence that money was first and foremost on Edward’s mind.

One of my least favorite things about Allen was how oblivious he was to his attraction to Edwin. It’s made clear that Allen is attracted to men, and had been before Edwin. Yet he seemed clueless about why he was having sex dreams about Edwin. Allen isn’t a stupid man, so this disconnect seemed strange. He also didn’t resize that he’d have to stop being with Edwin when he married a titled young woman.

Looking back on the book, it feels as though both Allen and Edwin’s personalities were stretched to the limit so that the slow burn could be managed. Edwin was convinced that his presence would be enough to ruin all of Allen’s social climbing ambitions, and Allen couldn’t have identified his feelings if they’d hit him with a truck.

I’m used to romances being thoroughly wrapped up by the end, and this book didn’t satisfy in that way. Edwin was still convinced that his presence would end up hurting Allen. The last chapter was supposed to be Allen’s big declaration that he was willing to deal with whatever the fallout was. And it worked, to an extent. It would have had more impact coming from Edwin’s point of view, and I think this story could have really benefitted from an epilogue showing them years down the road, still happy, with Edwin finally truly relaxed.

The non-romantic plot wasn’t the most engaging either, especially compared to the previous two books in the series. It was basically just Edwin helping Allen with his business. It’s a bit similar to the plot of Lord Heathborough Invests except without the threat or urgency of going to jail.

There’s also little worry about the dangers of their relationship being discovered. Humphries even jokes about it. And Allen’s servants seemed completely fine with the men’s relationship. I liked that part, and once again, the romance wouldn’t have been possible without the help of sympathetic side characters. But out of all the books in the series, this one felt the most unrealistic in that way.

I’m glad this was the last book in the series. If it had been the first, I would have been hesitant to continue. As it is, it’s definitely not the best way to end the series, especially since the book’s ending felt abrupt and wasn’t entirely satisfying.

Review: Lord Heathborough Invests (The Traitor Lords Saga #2) by Adella J. Harris

The romance was better than the first book.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. 290 pages. Published June 13th 2017 by Smashwords

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

Solicitor Robert Clarkson had begun to think he’d never have his own law practice, not when all of the work he was given at Glasson & Co. involved estate matters, until he was assigned to handle the business contracts of Lord Heathborough, son of one of the notorious traitor lords. Lord Heathborough has connections that could lead to the kind of clients Robert finds most interesting, and it doesn’t hurt that he is exceedingly handsome.

Laurence Nelson, Lord Heathborough, had always known his father would destroy his inheritance somehow and had built up a fortune of his own against the day, but he certainly never expected it to come in the form of a plot to kill the king. As the only traitor lord captured, his father was only making it worse enjoying the notoriety and telling the press anything he thought would make the conspirators seem clever, including details of the stock swindle used to finance it. At least his new solicitor isn’t bothered by it, although Laurence is certainly bothered by the handsome Mr. Clarkson.

When the Crown begins to suspect Laurence of using his companies to aid the traitor lords in their stock swindle, he’ll need to decide if he can trust his new solicitor, or if Robert was part of the plot all along. 

Likes:

  • Both men were likeable.
  • Lots of mutual longing.
  • Good side plot.
  • Lots of little touching moments between Laurence and Robert.
  • Approving side characters.

Dislikes:

  • My interest dropped when Robert and Laurence got together.
  • Robert’s situation with his dad reminded me of a teenager.
  • The side plot seemed to get wrapped up really fast at the end.

I definitely liked this book better than the last. The romance was simply better. One of my big complaints about Lord Lynster Discovers was that the characters didn’t spend enough time together, which led to a lack of little moments.

For me, a romance is made up of the little moments, those small gestures that bring a couple closer. This book definitely had lots of them. I especially loved when Robert taught Laurence how to make toasted bread and cheese over the fire. It was super sweet. Both men were yearning for each other but were too worried about rejection and the possible consequences to actually make a move.

The yearning was strong in this book. I don’t think it was UST – unresolved sexual tension. Yes, the men wanted each other, but it was about more than sex. They both wanted someone special in their lives. But the downside to this was that once the men actually got together, my interest dropped. It was like the tension had gone out of the story. The ‘will they, won’t they’ was resolved, leaving the remainder of the book relying on the side plot to hold my attention.

The side plot was basically Laurence trying to distance himself from his father, who was blabbing to the press about the traitor lords plot to kill the king. I never really felt like Laurence was in much danger of being linked with the plot, unlike James from the first book. So I simply didn’t find the side plot as interesting. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one, because it got wrapped up really fast at the end.

Both Robert and Laurence were likeable characters, as well as being nice men. Robert was a bit shy, but very smart and talented. Laurence’s success in business was due to his own hard work and attention to detail. He was a wealthy man, but wasn’t a snob. He actually cared about people, and went out of his way to make sure his father’s tenants and his own former butler were taken care of.

It was really fun watching the two men get to know each other and fall in love. Laurence’s hesitations were well explained and felt realistic. It was hard for him to open up to the possibility of romance, and he almost botched it, but he wasn’t too proud to apologize and admit he made a mistake. He really made a lot of progress over the book, learning to trust Robert completely.

I felt bad for Robert. Arguably, it was Laurence whose father was the worst of the two, but Robert felt like he was a grown man being forced to live like a teenager. His father monitored his coming and going from the house, Robert had to give excuses for coming home late, and his father constantly tried to chip away at his confidence.

Like in the last book, Robert and Laurence’s romance wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a number of side characters. The support was more subtle than in the previous book, but it was definitely still there. It was nice to see, especially given the time period the book was set in.

Review: Lord Lynster Discovers (The Traitor Lords Saga #1) by Adella J. Harris

A surprisingly low angst historical mm romance.

3.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. 193 pages. Published June 5th 2017 by Pronoun

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

When butler Daniel Rivers finds his employer, the Earl of Lynster, has shot himself, confirming he was one of the traitor lords plotting to kill the king, Daniel’s only thought is to protect his childhood friend James, the new Lord Lynster, from the scandal. He’s been quietly looking out for Lord James ever since the day by the pond when James’s “experiment” of a kiss proved to Daniel that he loved the young lord.

James had heard rumors of traitor lords and a plot to kill the king, but he didn’t realize his father was one of them until he read a newspaper story hinting the traitors were on the verge of being arrested and finds his father has shot himself rather than be tried, making James the new Lord Lynster. Fortunately, his father’s butler, Daniel Rivers, found the body. Daniel knows James’s deepest secret, and James knows he can trust Daniel, even when the Crown decides they’d like another traitor lord to put on trial.

When it’s discovered there may be more traitors involved in the conspiracy than the ones the Crown already knows about, James will need all his resources to prove he isn’t one of them. And Daniel will do anything he can to keep the former Lord Lynster’s scandal away from the son, even if it means allowing himself to be suspected.

A gay – M/M romance novel set in the Regency period with a medium heat level. 70,000 words/ approx. 280 pages 

Likes:

  • How both men had crushes on each other for years.
  • The power imbalance that exists between James and Daniel wasn’t cringy.
  • How great the side characters were.
  • Daniel and James were both likeable.
  • Low angst.
  • The mystery subplot was interesting.

Dislikes:

  • There wasn’t as much character growth as I would have liked.
  • Some minor editing mistakes.
  • Not a lot of talk about what happens if the men get caught together.
  • James and Daniel didn’t spend as much time together as I’d have liked.
  • I wish the romance had been more consistent.

I’m not usually the biggest fan of historical mm romance. The simple fact that homosexuality was punishable by death always puts a damper on things for me. Despite that, this book was surprisingly low angst and didn’t really focus too much on the legal or moral aspects of male/male romance. I personally didn’t mind that, although I can see how it might stray a bit from strict historical accuracy. As history was not my best subject, my knowledge of the minutiae is low, and so any inaccuracies would have flown straight over my head. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

I thought James was a very sympathetic character. To be dropped into such an unpleasant situation – not only the death of his father but being suspected as a participant in a plot to kill the king. Daniel’s support was incredibly sweet, as were the little ways it was revealed that Daniel had always been supporting him.

Daniel was a solidly dependable man, and that instantly made me like him. The fact that he’d harbored a crush on James for years made my heart go out to him. He struggled with his feelings, which he was sure would never be returned. It felt suitable to the time period and to his personality, but it did make the overall romance feel a little bumpy.

Neither James nor Daniel was willing to come straight out and admit they liked each other. Their feelings grew, but weren’t acted on until everything burst forth all at once. That moment of connection was worth waiting for, but it did mean there weren’t a lot of the little moments – gentle touches and lingering looks – that come with more modern stories.

I am glad that the power imbalance between the two men wasn’t cringy. James actually spent time thinking about how things would work between the two of them. He also came to realize that there was an entire side of Daniel’s life that he didn’t know anything about. It wasn’t as much character growth as I would have liked to see, but it was there.

The mystery to absolve both James and Daniel of any involvement with the treasonous plot added a lot to the story. I do wish James and Daniel had spent more time side by side as they did their sleuthing. There was a period of time when Daniel and James were forcibly separated, and I think that made their feeling for each other even stronger.

The story relies heavily on the help of side characters. Both James’s sister and his staff ended up being important to the plot. It was really heartwarming, and the happy ending wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Despite the minor editing mistake scattered through the book, I am looking forward to moving on to the next one.

Series Review: Goddess-Blessed by Eliot Grayson

A unique alternate universe Regency series.

4 out of 5 stars

Books include:

Plus the short story:

Likes:

  • Quick, easy reads.
  • Unique premise.
  • How the different men reacted to being goddess-blessed.
  • Hot smut.
  • The characters.
  • Acceptance of same sex marriages.
  • Different goddesses.
  • Hooked me easily.
  • The short story is a free download.

Dislikes:

  • The world building could have been better.
  • The first two books were directly related while the third was totally separate.
  • I had minor issues with all the books.

I am pleasantly surprised how much I liked these novellas. I’m not the biggest fan of the historical genre as a whole. I feel like if you weren’t a white cis man, you were treated like shit.

Grayson found a way to get around the ever present ‘homosexuality is a sin’ aspect of historical novels by setting these stories in an alternate universe where goddesses are alive and walk among the people. It’s a unique premise, and I applaud him for trying something different. Someone who is a stickler for historical accuracy probably wouldn’t like the books, but I’m not that person so I had no problem.

My problem was the lack of overall world building. The goddesses were a hazy concept in the first book, and while the goddess in question was better explained in the second book, it wasn’t until the third book that a goddess actually appeared. I like that two different goddesses were in the books, but I wanted more. More goddesses, more world building, more stories in general. This is a series I would like to see added to in the future.

The characters were the real stars of the books. I had my favorites, but all the leading men were all okay. I am still amazed at how Tom went from asshole in book one to completely sympathetic in book two. So much character development went on. The men all reacted differently to being goddess-blessed and that was really great to see. Plus, all the novellas and the short story had hot smut.

For being novellas, a lot was packed into each story. And while I would love to have seen more of the characters, I was happy with the endings overall. The novellas were quick, easy reads that hooked me right away.

I do wish the stories had all been linked somehow. The first two were so intertwined that the third book felt a little random. Even with the short story being related to the third book.

Overall, this was a good series. Were there little things I didn’t like about each book? Yes. But they were small things. I’m glad I picked up this series.

Review: The Yuletide Runaway (Goddess-Blessed #3.5) by Eliot Grayson

A short, smutty read.

4 out of 5 stars

Ebook. 44 pages. Published November 18th 2019 by Smoking Teacup Books

Blurb:

It’s a perfect Yuletide Eve, with snow drifting down and all the bells ringing. Martin’s had a long day’s work and wouldn’t mind spending the night in bed with a willing — well, anyone with a pretty face, really. Just as he resigns himself to sleeping alone, a mysterious young lady traveler reveals herself to be no lady at all, in more ways than one.

This is an M/M romance short story with explicit scenes. It takes place in the Goddess-Blessed universe, an alt-Regency world in which people and places are much the same but pagan gods and goddess are real, present, and often inconvenient. Although it features a character from Yuletide Treasure, it doesn’t contain spoilers and stands alone.

Currently this short story is only available for free download on Prolific Works. 

Likes:

  • Short and sweet.
  • Didn’t take long to get to the smut.
  • Martin is bi.
  • Martin doesn’t have a perfect body.

Dislikes:

  • Took me a moment to remember who Martin was.
  • Neither an was goddess-blessed.
  • Cliché setup.

This was a fun short story. It had more funny moments and smut than I expected, but no one was goddess-blessed. That made me wonder if the story could have just been set in the normal Regency period, then I remembered that the goddess-blessed universe is infinitely more tolerant of same-sex couples.

It’s been a bit since I read the main stories, so it took me a page or two to remember who Martin was. Not that it really matters. This short story is very self-contained. And considering how short it is, it managed to pack a lot in, including sexual tension and tons of smut. That being said, it’s still a short story, and has a relatively open ending.

The ‘boy disguised as a girl’ setup is cliché, but it works for the story. I especially loved the realization that Noah and his sister must have spent their nights in the similar situations.

I do think this story does a few things the main books don’t. For one, Martin is bi, and it’s mentioned multiple times. But it isn’t treated as something negative, in the way Tom’s was. Tom was portrayed as an asshole. Martin “liked girls curvy and willing, and lads slim and willing, and he wasn’t fussed about which fell into his lap on any given day” yet there was no sense of judgement about that. Which I liked. I also like that Martin was bashful because he didn’t have a perfect body, and that the awkwardness of post-sex cleanup was addressed.

Overall, this was a fun, smut-filled read. Plus it was free, and you can’t beat that. I would absolutely read more short stories or novellas set in this universe.

Check out the reviews for the series books – The Replacement Husband, The Reluctant Husband, and Yuletide Treasure.

Review: Like a Gentleman (Love in Portsmouth #1) by Eliot Grayson

The first novella but an author I like. Hard not to judge it a bit harshly because Grayson’s more recent books are better.

3 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. Second Edition. 106 pages. Published May 9th 2018 by Smoking Teacup Books (first published November 4th 2017)

Blurb:

His revenge couldn’t be more personal…or delicious…

When writer James Rowley discovers his editor has stolen his work, he has only one thought. Revenge. And he’s not above playing dirty (very, very dirty) to get it. By the time James is done toying with the man’s emotions—and body—he’ll be broken and humiliated. It’s the perfect plan…until he actually meets the damnably alluring thief in person, that is.

Leo Wells has spent years pining for the witty, talented man he only knew through letters. So when he finally meets the man of his dreams and discovers he’s a cold, callous rake, Leo’s more than a little disheartened. Too bad he’s also powerless to stay away from—or say no to—the disturbingly attractive James, even if it leads to his personal and professional ruination.

It’s not long before Leo learns there’s more to James than meets the eye, and James begins to wonder if his need for revenge is about to be surpassed by an even more powerful desire…

This approximately 28,000-word novella contains explicit scenes. Although it’s the first book in a series, it does not end on a cliffhanger and can be read as a standalone. Snarky banter and steamy chemistry are included with your purchase, but sadly, James’s hideous pink waistcoat is not. 

Likes:

  • Short, easy read.
  • Low angst.
  • Historical flair.
  • Interesting premise.
  • The way James dressed for his first meeting with Leo.
  • The ending made everything feel very settled.

Dislikes:

  • Not actually a series?
  • Feels like a first book.
  • Some overlong and rambling sentences.
  • Didn’t captivate me.
  • Occasional pronoun confusion.

Right off the bat, I will admit that I am judging this book harsher than it deserves. I have read and enjoyed several of Grayson’s more recent books, and he’s obviously become a more competent author since this novella was written. It’s hard not to find this book lacking when I compare it with his newer works.  

As far as I can tell, this is Grayson’s first book, and it shows. It’s not a bad novella, but it’s not great. It was a solid but unenthusiastic ‘nice.’

The characters are fine and I enjoyed reading about them. I do think the short length suits their romance. I’m not sure they could have been interesting for much longer. There’s a lot of insta-lust and some insta-love.

My favorite thing about the romance was that the men actually hashed out the differences between them. Their experiences and stations in life put them at odds, and Leo’s insecurities were understandable. I wish we’d been shown a little more of their daily lives, but considering how short the novella was, I think a lot was crammed in there. The ending was solid, and gave the impression that the men would be fine in the future.  

I liked the historical flair that was present throughout the book. The premise was interesting and low angst. There was some smut, but again, I think Grayson’s writing has improved in that department. But the humor is there, as evidenced by how James chose to dress for his first meeting with Leo.

I’m not too disappointed that this book doesn’t actually seem to be part of a series. Unlike his Goddess-Blessed series, this novella was a normal historical. I’ll admit I wasn’t captivated. The occasional overlong, rambling sentences didn’t help. I’d get lost halfway through and have to reread.

I think this is a solid first novella. I’m not mad at it, but in a few weeks I won’t remember it at all.

Review: The Reluctant Husband (Goddess-Blessed #2) by Eliot Grayson

I am so impressed at how Tom was redeemed. Best part of the book.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 168 pages. Published June 7th 2019 by Smoking Teacup Books

Blurb:

Is their marriage a blessing…or a curse?

Tom Drake wants nothing to do with his patron goddess. Her blessing has always been little more than a cruel curse. But when he finds himself disowned, disgraced, and on the verge of homelessness, he knows he can no longer afford to ignore her demands. He must marry. Sadly, his one marriage prospect is a pragmatic, stubborn man who only seems to value him for his blessing…and his body…

Mal Leighton will stop at nothing to save his beloved cousin’s life, even if it means marrying Tom—and using him for his blessing—to do it. Theirs would be a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience. Love was never part of the equation. He’ll just have to somehow learn to ignore his overwhelming attraction to his dangerously charming and seductive new husband.

As weeks pass, Tom and Mal find there’s often a fine line between love and desperation, passion and pride—and what exists between them is infinitely more complicated than their simple marriage of convenience was ever meant to be. Can they set aside their painful pasts and misconceptions to take a chance on the love match they never expected to find?

This is an M/M romance set in an alternate-universe Regency. It contains the ideal number of carriages, duels, and redeemed villains, but beware of pagan goddesses who like to micromanage. It is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone. Tom’s previous dastardly deeds can be found in The Replacement Husband. 

Likes:

  • Quick, easy read.
  • Tom was redeemed.
  • Questions from the last book answered.
  • Hot smut.
  • Heartwarming epilogue.
  • Action and excitement at the end.
  • A good end for the Drake brothers.

Dislikes:

  • Mal knew he was acting badly and didn’t change.
  • The story behind the goddess blessing gives me serious pause.
  • The beginning was a little confusing.
  • Both men trying so hard to guard their hearts.
  • Mal wasn’t as fleshed out as Tom.

I was a little worried when I realized this book was about Tom. He was definitely the villain of the last book, and I didn’t think I’d warm up to him. To my surprise and delight, he proved to be very sympathetic. While I still think he was an absolute ass to both Owen and Caroline, knowing what was going on in Tom’s head redeemed him.

The book began on a bit of a confusing note. Marcus and Malcolm Leighton were introduced – one a bully, the other Tom’s former crush. I had to double back and check which was which, one of the reasons I don’t like it when characters have similar names. Heavy reference was given to their time in school together, which was never brought up again.

My confusion didn’t last long. This book relies heavily on the reader remembering what happened in the last book, not a problem for me since I’d just finished reading it. The pace is very quick, with everything happening in rapid-fire succession, so that Tom quickly finds himself remarried.

I liked Tom better than Mal, mostly because Tom felt better fleshed out. More of Tom’s backstory gets told, whereas Mal is so focused on Will that we don’t find out much more about him. The fact that he knows he’d not treating Tom well and doesn’t immediately change his behavior made me a little mad. But there was, eventually, genuine affection between them, and it was fun watching their feelings change and grow. The last few chapters were exciting, and the epilogue was heartwarming and wrapped up this book and the previous one well.

Mal and Tom’s relationship definitely took a while to get going. I got annoyed at the end at how hard Mal was trying to guard his heart. Similar to the last book, the main barrier to a happy ending was the lack of open and honest communication. Though, to be fair, I understood why neither wanted to admit they were in love. At least the smut was hot.

I was pleased to get more information on the goddesses, especially Mirreith’s story. It explained a lot, but it made me wonder if the men who were blessed by her were forced into becoming something they didn’t want to be and wouldn’t have chosen for themselves. Tom had a natural inclination towards men, but was he naturally submissive? Owen definitely was, but I’m not sure about Tom. And don’t even get me started on the way Tom’s father made him feel about being blessed.

Overall, this book was a quick, easy read, same as the last one. Hands down the best part is Tom’s redemption. I am so impressed. I’m looking forward to the next book, and wouldn’t mind if the series continued.

Find the reviews for the other books in the series, The Replacement Husband, and Yuletide Treasure.

Review: The Replacement Husband (Goddess-Blessed #1) by Eliot Grayson

A quick read with hot smut and an interesting premise.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 160 pages. Published December 28th 2018 by Smoking Teacup Books

Blurb:

Owen Honeyfield lives a goddess-blessed life. His picture-perfect courtship and engagement to the man of his dreams is proof of that. But when his betrothal takes a disastrous turn, Owen’s only hope to restore his tarnished reputation comes from a most shocking source—the cold, disturbingly sensual brother of the man who just shattered his heart and abandoned him. Perhaps he’s not as blessed as he’d always thought…

Arthur Drake is accustomed to cleaning up after his impulsive and selfish brother. After all, he’s done it his whole life. The latest debacle, though, is much worse than usual. This time, his brother’s actions have threatened not only their family name, but Arthur’s own happiness. The only honorable choice is to marry Owen. But while he knows he can repair the damage to his beautiful new husband’s reputation, mending his broken heart might prove infinitely more difficult.

It’s not long before the lines between duty and passion blur, and Arthur finds himself in the inconvenient position of falling for his new husband. Will his love be enough to convince Owen to let their marriage of convenience become the happily ever after they both deserve?

This is an M/M romance set in an alternate-universe Regency with waistcoats, awkward tea-drinking, and pagan goddesses on the loose. It is the first in a series, but it can be read as a standalone. 

Likes:

  • Hooked me and kept me interested.
  • Unique premise.
  • Hot smut.
  • Short, quick read.
  • Arthur and Owen, together and separately.

Dislikes:

  • The goddess blessings weren’t explained.
  • Some lingering questions.
  • Owen’s constant doubts.
  • Abrupt ending.
  • Wish Arthur and Owen had spent more time together.

I picked up this book after reading The Alpha’s Warlock. I liked Grayson’s writing and was eager to read more from him. Happily, I really enjoyed The Replacement Husband. It was a quick, easy read that hooked me from the very start and kept me interested.

The premise of the story was interesting, what with the goddess blessings, but it could have used a lot more explanation. Owen was obviously treated differently from other young men, and I wish I knew how much of his personality was him and how much of it was how he was raised.

Still, it was easy to like Owen. He was young and a bit sheltered, but his feelings about the way people treated him like he wasn’t fully a man made him sympathetic. I was a bit worried at first, especially with the way Tom treated him, that the book would be filled with many of the things I don’t like about hetero historical romances – i.e. with Owen treated like he’s a delicate, swooning prize to be won. And while Owen was a bit of a damsel in distress at the beginning, he did change over the course of the book. Do I wish he’d changed a bit more and punched Tom at the end? Yes. But that doesn’t feel realistic for his character.

Arthur was my favorite character by far. Older, brooding, but with a desire to care for and love Owen. I loved that he honestly tried to respect Owen in many ways, from not making him go through a purity ritual before their marriage to writing up a marriage contract that left everything to Owen in the case of his death.

Of course, there was a lot of miscommunication between the two men. Honestly, that was where the majority of the tension in the book came from. It got a little annoying at times, especially when it came to Owen’s doubts.

The only thing that worked for them right from the start was the smut, which was incredibly hot. I do wish Owen’s submissive tendencies had been explored a little more. I also wish the men had spent more time outside of the bedroom getting to know each other better. Their relationship felt like it was finally on safe, solid footing when the book ended. Simply put, I wanted more of their relationship.

I do have some lingering questions, especially about Tom. Was he no longer in Arthur and Owen’s lives? I liked the epilogue about Caroline, but wish that Arthur and Owen had been the focus.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I finished it in a single setting, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Find the reviews for the second two books in the series, The Reluctant Husband and Yuletide Treasure.