but can be easily switched out for something more romantic
919225
The sign is smaller than I thought it was going to be, and it also has a faded look to it. The cord it comes with is cute if you're having a rustic type wedding, but can be easily switched out for something more romantic. Speedy delivery
355479
A Most Suitable Duchess is a "marriage of convenience turn into real love" trope romance in a regency setting. Penelope basically refused to love any one after having her lover disappear years ago, until her half-brother answered an ad for a duchess in her name and now she's forced to marry the new Duke of Torringford, Marcus Heywood. Marcus inherited the title with little notice and needed a wife in three weeks, and finding someone that fast is impossible, except through an ad. And that was the gossip in town for weeks. Penelope turned out to be most suitable for the job of a duchess, even as Marcus turned out to be a perfect husband, even if he is the must un-duke-like of a duke, as they learn about each other. The only real obstacle is when Penelope's old lover comes back to England to add some trouble.

The entire book can be described as... mildly uncozy. There's no large mood swings, merely uncomfortable brooding between the two characters that only changed when the old lover came back to London. The world was really brought to life through excellent descriptions, but we're here to hear stories about people. Thus, this can be, at best, an average novel.
3527853
This is more of a romance, and less of a thriller.  Well-written, easy read, but not my type of book
2836147
Im liking the Victorian era more and more  a time of great change in the UK, and many of the heroes and heroines tend to reflect their reactions to all these progressions.  In How to Impress a Marquess, what starts as a fairly typical and lighthearted story soon develops into much more: with hints of feminist ideology, a romance, plenty of growth and a wonderful ending.

Lilith is a bohemian in training  shes got all of the ideology, she wants desperately to make a splash, but shes still got a bit of conventional marriage, family, romance streak.  She is, however, a handful: often heedless to the wishes and feelings of others and far more nave than she is willing to believe of herself.

George is the head of the family, and also Liliths guardian.  Hes spent years being told of his responsibilities, and hes actually rather stilted by the constant focus on duty and appearances. Hes not unkind, just unused to thinking for himself in terms of his own happiness.  When he starts to discover the hidden layers and hurts that lie beneath his wards seeming devil-may-care approach to what others think of her, hes genuinely confused.

Slowly the two start to reveal themselves, the deep recesses that no one is allowed to see. While Lilith truly sees the good in George, and wants him to show his love in her often immature visions, the two are growing closer. George is attracted and concerned about that attraction, worried of what people will think, and unsure about what these new feelings are.  A lovely light story that conceals hidden depths, bringing the heroines youth and inexperience into play as she schools the hero in many aspects, not the least of which is happiness.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
4705232
Falling in love with someone could be so easy, as Pamela Landers demonstrated. The story started with a heartstopping event that had my mind play out different scenarios. It even had me imagining the movie Ghost. Well, things took a different turn.

The characters could have been developed more. Sometimes, I see them as shallow individuals. And in the world of Pamela and Gavin, everyone seemed attractive. That's how the author described even the supporting characters.

The love story was fast-paced that it's seemingly built on superficial grounds like hot s*x. The latter part caused my eyes to leak, though. It was emotional and heartfelt. I also hoped that the song Unchained Melody gained a more favorable interpretation in the book.

I would recommend this to anyone raring to read a quick love story.
1742187
I received a free copy for an honest review. This is another case where I am well outside the demographic readership this work would likely seek, and so I write with the intent of speaking to that audience, to the best of my ability.

Were looking at a romance book. This is sexy romance, with a good deal of attention on the physical dabbling and gossiping of upper class people, generally as blessed in libido as they are in material wealth. A trip to the French Basque country sets the stage for a drama that keeps these libidos very much in play. One woman (Annabelle) marries for money, but feels put out by the fact of a kid she had to keep the money marriage a sure thingso she starts playing around with an Italian stud. The father of their child suspects as much and decides to join his best friend, Edon his holiday at his villa in the Basque to take his mind off of this news. Turns out of course the Italian guy (Claudio) has more than one indiscretion, meaning Annabelles plans for a more substantial relationship with him are called very much into question, as is Annabelles stability. A lover thinks all is well and is surprised by a twist - another thinks herself spurned, turns out to be paranoidand on it goes.

Besides sex and drama, this is also a good book for those with a passion for the finer things in life. Decadent European dishes, beautiful clothing, lush landscapes, these are all things the author has an appreciation for, and it comes out clearly in her work. I also enjoyed the slow unravelling of certain characters, such as Annabelle, and appreciated a couple of surprises like that along the way.

I felt at odds with learning about the interests of a couple of female characters almost half way through the book, when all along I had known so much about their romantic and sexual tendencies. The only thing Ive read that comes close to this is Jane Austen, and in comparison, it would be nice to see some subtlety in the dialogue.

In any case, for those into sex, food, landscapes and controversy, this is a good pick for you.
3465375
For what is essentially a romantic comedy, with many of the normal romantic comedy tropes (true love right in front of their eyes, the guy who can't make it in a relationship, etc.), it manages to tackle a few interesting questions about what makes marriages work, particularly once children enter the picture. I might have preferred a more independent and honest feel, and less Hollywood polish, but it's worth it for some thought provoking moments.
476787
Some of the choices were a bit of a stretch to be considered erotic, but all-in-all a well-selected choice of stories to arouse and inspire.
1021485
This is a different kind of romance story, more realistic and modern type, with a secret affair and a baby on the way. There's also added family drama on both sides and horse thefts to be solved, giving definitely enough trouble and apprehension to built a great plot around.
Both of the main characters had depth and maturity, they were likable and easy to relate to. I saw and understood the thought process both of them had with their decisions. Of course, with all their smarts and talents, communication with each other wasn't one, giving frustrated moments while reading the tale.
Aaron Travers was a grieving widow, and a father of a little girl, whose former mother in law lived in his household. Aaron is a straightforward character, you get what you see: a smart, caring, confident, hard-working, loyal, family man with traditional values. He is protective of those he love, he stands up to his responsibility and wants to do the right thing if it is a possibility. Who wouldn't love a man like that?!
Melody Hartman is the town vet. She lost her mother at the young age, but her father stepped up and did his best to his girls. To find out they had a sister no one knew about was a shock, and suddenly Melody's life was mirroring too much of her father's past. Melody is a stubborn, caring, tough woman who can hold her own, yet she has a sensitive and romantic side she is now discovering herself at the age of 30.
The connection between Melody (Mel) and Aaron was obvious, the chemistry tangible, impossible not to notice if around them. And this story was a good step from the norm, as they already knew each other, they already had a relationship of a sort, now everything was just about to change drastically and abundantly.
The story has a lot of scenes and events from the town and happenings around the characters. the supporting cast is large in numbers, and they were helpful to move the plot forward and added a great deal to events of the novel. Overall this was an entertaining tale, a realistic look at a love story at the most anxious time in the relationship when everything is twisting and turning and changing at the same time, when it is a risk to open up your heart as you don't know where you stand with the other, and getting hurt is the option you really don't want to live with.
~ Four Spoons
14029
I was given an ebook of this title in exchange for an honest review.  Normally this is not the genre I tend to read, but felt it was worth a try.
Piper is eighteen, broke and her mother is trying to marry her off so she will always be taken care of. The time frame is the 1800's.  Enter the Duke who rescues Piper from what could be a terrible fate.  They try to keep away from each other, but alas, the attraction is too strong.
I would not call this a historical romance, but it certainly is a romance.  I found it to be a PG version of Fifty Shades of Grey. It is a quick an easy read and entertaining. I didn't care for the cover as it makes Piper look much older than 18.
1929925
I know that some people may not like the ending and it may be controversial, but I really enjoyed this just as a romantic movie
3670920
This is a go to series for me when I want something easy to read that is romantic.  It's not the next great American novel, but it is entertaining.
1905375
This was actually really cute. I didn't expect the path the book would take at the halfway mark, but it was a nice change up. The characters for the most part felt real. Their struggles were real. Some parts of the dialogue felt a little forced, but only in a few places. This is one of those books that has the right amount of sex. I hate when the whole story revolves around it, but in this book it felt like the natural progression of their relationship. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes romance.
1068646
Lots of choices, some workable, some not. But the variety opens up other possibilities.
4558494
Listed as Teen/YA romance and mystery, this is a book in a genre I wouldnt normally read. However, I was approached by the author for a review, read the blurb, and decided to give it a chance.
Id actually classify it as fantasy romance, but thats a personal judgment based on how I view the content. That it was written for a younger readership is clear from the innocence of the main relationship and the avoidance of sexual references. However, the book does cover some of the darker side of human interactions. The basic pairing is romantic and charming, if sometimes a little confusing until the situation becomes apparent.
If I have a criticism of this cleverly constructed and intriguing story, its that, in common with so many contemporary books, it needs a good editor. Verb tense changes often, sometimes mid-sentence. There are sentences without endings. And there are apparent non sequiturs, which do occasionally confuse.
Nevertheless, the characters and their situations are engaging. This is a lengthy book, and both story and cast had me reading to the end. Fortunately, the allusions to religion were few and widely spread, so I didn't feel I was preached at, though I admit to finding such references a little irritating when presented as factual information.
This is a fascinating story, with many twists and turns before the satisfying conclusion is reached. This author has real promise; some of her language is quite exquisite. I enjoyed it.
1137639
There is something about this author that I really like. She's a bit mellow-dramatic and over the top, and she uses names waaaay too much in dialogue, but her stories are sweet and romantic. I enjoyed this one more than I did the first.
689498
A friends who jokingly get into a benefits relationship, an unplanned separation and a pregnancy, misunderstandings and doubts are a recipe for make an interersting romance with a lot of heat. The characters are fairly generic and storyline can be a bit predictable, but with a sweet happy ending and everything falling into place you'd expect, it was an easy story to read.