Welcome to the first Reading Roundup! This is where I share my mini rants and raves about the books I don’t review at length. I’ve been on a historical romance binge lately, so expect to see several of those in this post – and next time, as well, unless my mood changes!
First up! Tessa Dare’s “Spindle Cove” series: I read all of these in just over a week, which is both a testament to how much I enjoyed them and to how much I need fluff in my life right now. Dare has created a community of lovable, hilarious characters, who kept me in stitches from book to book. I especially enjoy the ongoing (and somewhat halfhearted) battle of the sexes that weaves throughout the series.
A Night to Surrender: Dare was still establishing the world and characters in this one, but it’s good fun, in spite of the rougher patches. Colin’s coup, leading the reluctant men to “retake” their village is a standout, as is Dinner the lamb, mascot of the Spindle Cove militia.
Once Upon a Winter’s Eve (novella): For a novella, this one packs in quite a bit – spies, smugglers, reunited lovers, and false identities. A worthwhile time-pass story.
A Week to Be Wicked: Road trip!! If you like the movie It Happened One Night (and if you don’t, what’s wrong with you?), you’ll like this. Colin and Minerva’s misadventures as they race to Scotland kept me laughing, and I fell in love with the intrepid pair.
A Lady by Midnight: This was the one I was waiting for from the first. A giant, brooding soldier who pines and protects from afar? Yes, please! It didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Beauty and the Blacksmith (novella): Pure cuteness! I only wish it were longer!
Any Duchess Will Do: I had my doubts going into this one. Griff’s lecherous ways did not impress me when he appeared in A Week to Be Wicked (rakes – reformed or otherwise – are generally not my thing anyway), but I was pleasantly surprised. The main couple is appealing, but it was the relationship between mother and son that truly made me laugh and won my heart.
Lord Dashwood Missed Out (novella): Another hilarious entry – mostly because of the side-story about the Spindle Cove husbands on their quest for sherry, a missing authoress, and bragging rights.
Do You Want to Start a Scandal: This may be my favorite of the full-length novels. It’s a whodunnit with a scandalous twist, and I thoroughly enjoyed the shenanigans.
Lady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa Kleypas: I have mixed feelings about this and the rest of the “Bow Street Runners” series. They don’t sparkle like some of her others but have a gritty undertone, taking place in London’s seedy underworld. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery element, but it never grabbed my heart. I liked this better than the first book, Someone to Watch Over Me, though, so we’ll see how I feel about the final entry, Worth Any Price.
“Highland Brides” series by Lynsay Sands: I read books 8, 1, and 2 in this series (Hunting for a Highlander, An English Bride in Scotland, and To Marry a Scottish Laird), and they’re all so similar, I’m just going to do a group review. These books follow a formula: take a naive heroine with self-esteem issues, introduce her to a randy Highland warrior, and add an unknown assailant out to destroy their happiness, rinse, and repeat. They are poorly written in all senses: the plots, characters, and prose are half-baked and repetitive. There are better books out there, so don’t waste your time.
Speaking of better books… Mia Sosa’s The Worst Best Man was exactly the palate cleanser I needed! It drags in a few spots, but I loved the leads, and I loved them together, which happens less often than I could wish. I also laughed out loud throughout the book, thanks to drunken, post-breakup open mic poetry, cake-induced sugar crashes, and aggressive team sports. So I’m giving this one a thumbs up and an enthusiastic recommendation if you’re looking for something cute, light, and romantic.
Until next time, happy reading!
–b
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