Book Review: The Viscount’s Unconventional Lady by Virginia Heath

The Viscount’s Unconventional Lady is written by Virginia Heath and published by M&B Historical. Lord Piers Easton had reluctantly returned to London after working as a Diplomat in the Napoleonic wars.  His divorce has made in infamous and rather grumpy and cantankerous. In order to quell the gossip mill he should marry a quiet subservient noble woman. Instead Faith Brookes, a flamboyant, vocal artist has caught his attention. Originally the pair disliked each other due to a misunderstanding on Faith’s part. 

This is the first in a trilogy which will focus upon Faith and her two sisters. The mother is an overbearing opera star who brings humour and gives the reader a reason to feel sorry for Faith. Piers character is also based upon dry humour. Unusually for Regency period romances, the women are outspoken and determined to be heard which makes the book more enjoyable. I look forward to reading Faith’s sisters’ stories. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Confessions of an Italian Marriage by Dani Collins

Confessions of an Italian Marriage is published by M&B Modern and written by Dani Collins. I don’t normally comment on the book jacket picture but this time I will. I loved it. It is so rare to see a Hero in a wheelchair on the front of or in a storyline. As the picture can be the deciding factor in catching a potential reader’s eye as a disabled person I appreciated it as a move forward. 

Giovanni is the hero who happens to be an amputee wheelchair user and Freja is his new wife travelled the world with her father and was brought up in North Korea. Giovanni has had to go take his death and go into hiding due to his second career that he hasn’t told Freja about. She decides to flush him out, which she successfully does. He sees how his fake death has affected her and tries to fix the damage he has caused, but is it too late to save their marriage.

I enjoyed how Giovanni’s disabilities were matter of factly dealt with rather than being either the elephant in the room or romantized.  I also liked Freja’s childhood storyline, but put together they were almost too much. Both could have been standalone storylines. Nevertheless this is one of my favourite reads and I hope there are more along the same lines incorporating disabled hero/ines without virtue signalling that that is the focus.  

 I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Christmas in the King’s Bed by Caitlin Crews

Slightly out of season but here goes, Christmas in the King’s Bed is written by Caitlin Crews and published by MB Modern. Calista’s father has blackmailed  King Orion into marrying Calista.  Calista agreed to marry him in order to protect her sister Melody and prevent her being institutionalized. Calista is also plotting to bring her father down.

I enjoyed this book. Calista acts out like a petulant toddler during the first few chapters but it is clear during her interactions with her sister that this is not the real Calista who is working to save her sister and destroy her father. Orion is angry that he is being blackmailed into marriage to protect the royal family and at first only sees his wife to be as an angst ridden toddler. Slowly his perception changes but will she betray him as well? 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Night Shifts with the Miami Doc by Ann McIntosh

Night Shifts with the MIAMI DOC is a M&B Medical romance written by Ann McIntosh. Dr Regina Montgomery has taken this temporary job at the Miami hospital so she can take time to reflect and refocus on her goal of becoming chief of medicine. Little did she know or anticipate that her former resident, Dr Mateo would also be employed there or that he would make clear that he wanted her. Both have issues, she has fought to rebuild her career whilst he is busy dealing with his family. Ca they work through these issues? 

 I found Regina to be quite a cold, remote character, unable to express her emotions or fully relate to other characters and engage the reader’s interest. I found it a shame that the 10year age gap was not developed into more of a sub storyline as this would have been an interesting angle that not many M&B romances use as a storyline.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: The Bluestocking Duchess by Julia Justiss

The Bluestocking Duchess is M&B historical romance written by Julia Justiss.   Miss Jocelyn Sudderfield is working at Edge Hall, the Duke of Farisdeen’s estate with her father and brother, translating Ancient Greek texts with her father. They have lived at the Dower house for most of Jocelyn’s life. She has successfully avoiding the need to enter into marriage by doing so and loves her work. She has made friends with estate manager, Alex Cheverley. He, unexpectedly, becomes the Duke’s heir as he is the Duke’s cousin.  Now Alex must marry a debutante suitable to be his wife selected by the cold hearted Duke,  not consort with a bookish Bluestocking. Will they be able to remain friends, turn the friendship into something more or each go their own way?

I enjoyed this novel. The inclusion of the translation of Greek texts made the storyline appear more realistic, rather than just the mention that she translated texts would have done. The relationship between Jocelyn and Alex developed slowly whilst both pursues their own interests. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: A Scandal Made In London by Lucy King

A Scandal Made in London is written by Lucy King and published by M&B Modern.  Billionaire Theo Knox always felt as though he owed Mike Cassidy a debt which he never got to repay as he sadly passed away. Theo, therefore, was shocked when he discovered Mike’s sister Kate Cassidy was an employee who was also trying to set up a sideline as high class to sell her virginity! Kate is over 6ft in height and lacks confidence. Theo is even taller than she is and is an alpha male. They enter a relationship and she becomes pregnant. Can they overcome their secrets and issues and create a future for three?

A somewhat formulaic romance: problem, fake relationship, relation ship, baby and marriage. The height was an added interest as was seeing her blossom and become less self conscious. A quick easy read. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Claiming His Bollywood Cinderella

Claiming His Bollywood Cinderella is written by Tara Pammi and published by M&B Modern.   Vikram Raina is a Bollywood billionaire actor who has saved his family’s business whilst also becoming one of Bollywood’s most sought after actors.  Naina Manon is his grandmother’s assistant. Naina mocks Vikram during their first meeting but then has a one night stand with him, after the masked masquerade ball, without him knowing who she is! He realises who she is during their next meeting and their affair continues. Unfortunately Naina’s family have financial problems and she is forced ask Vikram for a job. Naina becomes Vikram’s assistant. They travel to the Maldives and this is where their relationship starts to fail. Will they be able to salvage their relationship.

I enjoyed the book, although Naina isn’t really a Cinderella character, rather she is independent, highly educated, not afraid to speak her mind and supports her family. The last few chapters were rather rushed and formulaic, spoiling the earlier ones where the storyline was new and fresh, with characters that the reader could empathise and relate to. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted