Review: It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn

After coming off of When He Was Wicked, which was my favorite Bridgerton book so far by the way, I was worried that Hyacinth’s story would fall flat. Hyacinth was probably my least favorite sibling in the books as a fringe character. She always came across as young and silly but with a shrewd eye for details. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t like her going into this one, but rather I just didn’t feel like I knew her as well as the other Bridgerton siblings thus far.

However, it was clear from the beginning that Hyacinth’s story would most certainly contain much to love. It was at this book that I decided to buy more of Julia Quinn’s other books for future reading. I love a solid romance with witty dialogue and chemistry between characters that is sexy without being raunchy. A tall order for sure but Quinn consistently delivers charming romances. I describe it as Jane Austen with sex.

I cannot wait to read more of Quinn’s novels when I am done with the Bridgerton series. She has earned a place in my top favorite writers for her charm, wit, and consistent romances. It’s hard to write characters, troupes, heros and heroines that inspire believability and swooning all at the same time but Quinn does it consistently!

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Review: When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

The sixth book in the Bridgerton series was probably the one I was least looking forward to. There is next to any info about Francesca’s character in all the other books. To be honest, I practically forgot about her on a regular basis. I was constantly reminding myself that ‘oh ya there is another Bridgerton sibling before Gregory and Hyacinth’.

The minimal references to Francesca’s story left me with a lot more questions than answers. For example, there were references about her being a widow really young and that the love of her life died etc. Which made me constantly think ‘wow that sounds depressing’. So when I finally got to Francesca’s story I was fully expecting it to be the book that I had to ‘get through’ before moving on to the rest of the charming Bridgerton siblings.

However, Julia Quinn is a stunning writer and I fully trust her ability to write believable romances that will win me over in spite of myself even if I don’t LOVE the story, I know that I will at least enjoy it. When I started this one, it was very clear this was going to be different than some of the other ones in the series, but by the end it emerged as my favorite in the entire series.

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Review: Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks

I have had really good luck with Shadow Mountain Press’s romances. They are proper and sweet and I have enjoyed almost every single one that I have read. So whenever I see a new one up for review, I usually grab at it because they are always well written and enjoyable. This one sounded really interesting, as a girl hiding in plain sight on a ship disguised as a boy who ends up falling in love with one of the officers.

This particular publisher is kind of off the beaten path, it’s obviously not a huge powerhouse of romance novels like Harlequin or Thomas Nelson which is known for its sweet or proper romances, but the romances I have read from Shadow Mountain have always been believable and full of chemistry. I am happy to report that this book lived up to those expectations I had of this publishing house.

While I did love this romance there were times when I was shocked that some of the characters didn’t leap to other conclusions about George and Dominic. There was much of the story where I was thinking to myself……so if everyone thinks George is a boy, why aren’t they thinking that Dominic and George aren’t lovers. It was difficult to imagine that no one thought that from the get go, but in the end this was a mild thing for me. If you like historical romances that are more proper in nature you need to check out some of their titles!

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Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons #5) by Julia Quinn

Another post another Bridgerton novel up for review! I honestly had planned to pace myself when it came to reading these books. I mean I devoured the show in one sitting and the only regret that I had was that it was over! I wanted to savor the books a little more and spread them out but sadly that is NOT happening.

I have really enjoyed Julia Quinn’s writing as the books have gone on. The first book, The Duke and I, was good but there were some issues that I struggled with, but as the books have gone on I have enjoyed getting to know the various Bridgerton siblings in new ways and watching their HEA unfold.

Eloise has been one of my favorite of the Bridgerton siblings. She is vivacious and chatty and self aware in a way that some heroines just aren’t at times. She is no nonsense and isn’t afraid to speak her mind in a rather unapologetic way and I love her for it. I have been really eager to read her romance since starting the series.

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Review: Lana’s War by Anita Abriel

Last year I read Anita Abriel’s debut novel, The Light After the War, and it was good for a debut novel. I don’t know that I loved it, but I enjoyed it and was looking forward to seeing how her writing evolved in future books.

The author’s mother was a Holocaust survivor so it’s not surprise that the author drew in real events and personal history not only with her first novel but with this one as well. With having the first book under her belt, this was one I was really looking forward to exploring and seeing how things evolved from the first book to the second.

The author’s books aren’t a series, but there are clearly themes in both books that are similar and clearly close to her heart. This book was really up there on my anticipated list because the plot sounded dangerous. The main female character works as a spy to infiltrate the Nazi organization. While perhaps not unique in historical fiction, the way the story was described, promised tension and danger which made me really eager to read it.

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