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Katie's Historical Romance Book Reviews
The historical practice of wife-selling made for an intriguing premise in this sweet story inspired by actual events. Once again, I marvel at the author’s ability to create a hopeless situation for which I can see no resolution, then def…
What a heartfelt story! I so appreciate Joanna Barker’s unique talent for rendering realistic emotional depth, exploring the complicated relationships between parents and children, as well as how varied life experiences and perspectives …
I expected a magical quest, with lots of fantastical elements, but I didn’t expect to cry. I even laughed at one point. I was a proud contributor to the creation of this book via polls conducted by the authors. It was delightful to see i…
Megan Walker has become a must-read, five-star Proper Romance author for me. Highcliffe House has all of my favorites: clever, relatable characters, unique premise, and a heartwarming love story. It made me laugh and cry. To top it off, …
I love the relatable human element infused in every Martha Keyes story. They are so much more than JUST Regency romances to enjoy for a little escapism; they’ve got heart and depth and humor. In Reputation at Risk, Charlotte and Anthony …
A creative and suspenseful mystery with an intrepid and clever heroine reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables, with a dash of Enola Holmes and Miss Eliza Scarlet (of PBS Masterpiece fame) for some extra Victorian-era London flavor. I was ch…
Protecting Her Heart beautifully renders the authentic characters and emotional depth that have been hallmarks of this lovely Victorian-era series. An action-packed murder-mystery plot and immersive setting made it bittersweet to reach t…
One of my favorite elements of the Mr. Darcy’s Magic series is the lovely connection between our dear couple that simply grows more beautiful and steadfast as time goes on and they battle evil forces side by side, equally powerful in the…
I enjoyed the rare viewpoint of several secondary characters in this unique variation in which Mr. Bennet, of all people, essentially makes a match. It was especially gratifying to see the younger Bennet sisters forming new alliances and…
YEARNING. Oh, how our dear couple pines for one another in this story of misunderstandings! It was a fun experience to view Elizabeth and Darcy from the perspective of Mrs. Bennet, and I certainly gained an even greater sympathy for her….
A fun story of dueling archers, slinging arrows both real and verbal. This was a rare instance in a first-person, dual-narration romance when I felt a greater affinity with the hero than the heroine. I’m not sure what it was about Marigo…
What a conclusion to this clever series! I had been disappointed with the 4th book but looking forward to this 5th and final one because of the big, twisty cliffhanger at the end of the 4th, and this book somewhat redeemed its predecesso…
Another lovely romance from the talented pen of Martha Keyes. The meet-cute sparked with such animosity that it might more accurately be called a meet-competition, and that delicious tension, combined with the secret misgivings and yearn…
Rejoice, enthusiasts of Austenesque tales! A new Darcy and Elizabeth story has arrived for you to ardently admire and love.
This story made me smile at the sweet sincerity of Mr. Darcy, even when he was his usual obtuse self, and laugh …
As always, the witty banter and heartfelt wisdom found in every Sarah M. Eden novel are evident in this sweet story. I found myself often smiling at the droll commentary, as well as contemplating the timeless truths shared throughout. It…
What happens when a surprising—and surprisingly vindictive—villain sets his sights on ruining a revered naval hero?
What a wild ride! There is nothing restful about The Sailor’s Rest, to be sure. This story is an epic tale on the high s…
Fans of steamy Regency romance, I present to you a promising debut novel, Child of Summer, by A.T. Abbott. First, let us all admire the beautiful cover art, by Dana Gallar, which depicts a vital scene from the book. While the first half …
A determined heiress hires a charming thief-taker to aid in her search for her beloved late father’s watch, only to become embroiled in an increasingly dangerous mystery in A Heart Worth Stealing, the latest Proper Romance® from Shadow M…
As always, I sincerely admire the cleverness of Jessie Lewis. Her unique story ideas are thought-provoking. No small feat on her part to craft unusual tales that include characters who were created hundreds of years ago, have been writte…
A unique story in a Heyeresque style, The Connoisseur has a bit of everything to keep the reader intrigued, including suspense, romance, and even a few cameos by famous Regency-era figures. I found the unexpected action scenes particular…
Another lovely story from the formidable imagination of Sarah M. Eden. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between two lonely people worn down by the trials of life and learning to trust. This was a story of courage, perseverance, and sacrif…
My Cousin Darcy is a Pride and Prejudice sequel unlike any other, and I was charmed by it. Effervescent and gregarious Sofia-Elisabete is refreshing; she simply does not care what anybody thinks. She shares her tale in first-person narra…
Romance stories exist on a spectrum, from the fluffiest feel-good escapism to the powerfully poignant and every combination in between. The very best romances explore relatable emotions with deep insight into how people evolve through re…
I thoroughly enjoyed Book #3 in The Donovans series. The awkward meet-cute was simply perfect for our book-loving Phineas Donovan, not to mention being one of the most amusing and unique first encounters I’ve ever read. I particularly en…
I’m endlessly fascinated by P&P variations with their what-if scenarios, but I particularly appreciate those that travel down unusual yet believable paths. The Truth About Family is especially unique because it not only changes several k…
A lovely romance that made me smile, narrated with perfection by the incomparable Stevie Zimmerman.
FOUR STARS to The Sisters of Sea View, Book One in the On Devonshire Shores series.
First of all, just look at that gorgeous cover. When I first saw it months ago, I thought it was so inviting that I wished I could walk right onto the be…
Often in romance stories, even those with dual point of view, it is the heroine and the romance itself that typically get most of the spotlight. Indeed, it takes great authorial skill to powerfully convey the nuances of multiple complex …
Many Janeites are familiar with the story of Jane Austen’s brother Edward’s adoption by the Knights and his ascension to the rank of gentleman landowner of Godmersham Park, as well as Chawton House and of course the famed Chawton Cottage…
If you’ve ever wished that Jane Austen’s family had preserved more of her personal letters, have I got a surrogate wish-fulfillment for you. It is my pleasure to introduce the gifted nineteenth-century novelists Jane and Anna Maria Porte…
Finding Home at Somerton Castle is a thought-provoking exploration of grief and loneliness with lovely characters, heartwarming moments that brought tears to my eyes, some unexpected plot twists and action, and a satisfying happily-ever-…
"The Holly and the Ivy" by Sarah M. Eden
Oh, my heart! This special story is a must-read for every Jonquil/Lancaster family enthusiast. Witnessing some of the childhood of Adam, Duke of Kielder, the future Dangerous Duke, from his youth…
Twists, indeed! I’ve long desired to read this story and am glad I finally did. That said, an inevitable misunderstanding in this forced-marriage scenario that turns Darcy into an unbearably petulant brat throwing the adult equivalent of…
What an exciting continuation of the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series! The suspense from the first book has ramped up with a perplexing—and dangerous!—new mystery to solve, and the story is fast-paced, with several possible sus…
Suspenseful and action-packed, with likeable characters, puzzling mysteries, and unexpected twists. Plus, a teensy bit of romantic interest. It kept me awake far past my bedtime, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I love Sarah M. Eden’s writing, and this has been a unique and imaginative and intriguing series at times, but… This story really fell flat for me. And my goodness, I really badly wanted to love it and have so looked forward to reading…
What a beautiful love story! Their friendship was so lovely to witness, as were the relationships that developed between the Bennets and Darcys. I smiled a lot through this heartwarming, low-angst tale. The audiobook narration was simply…
Valentine Donovan is most definitely a confirmed rake. He’s been a brooding secondary character in the previous books in this series, which made his backstory intriguing and mysterious. This was very much a grumpy-sunshine story, and whi…
This second book in the Matchmakers series was exactly what I’d hoped it would be…and then some! All of the things I enjoyed about the first book were improved in this one, making it a story that I savored and looked forward to picking…
What a story! I laughed, I cried. My jaw dropped at some truly surprising behavior from characters I thought I knew. It was so interesting to see previously cheerful, good characters become bitterly resentful while previously resentful c…
Epiphany has an unusually involved Anne de Bourgh who is both awful and pitiful—and at times amusingly snarky—serving to show Darcy just how badly behaved his own family is compared to the Bennets and their connections. The clever dialog…
An entertaining story performed by a talented audiobook narrator. The characters are amusing and the various romances are sweet. A satisfying happily-ever-after.
What an action-packed page-turner! I loved the devotion between our dear couple. The circumstance of Elizabeth’s upbringing and the situation that throws her into Mr. Darcy’s company for an extended, and challenging, time are both quite …
I enjoyed this story about a mature Darcy and Elizabeth earning their happily-ever-after in a more realistic and less dramatic way. It was refreshing that they both brought some life experience to their relationship, having previously be…
I enjoyed the clever premise of a secretly astute and observant Miss Harriet Smith—from Jane Austen’s Emma—and viewing the classic story from her perspective. It was a pleasant surprise to find the intriguing Jane Fairfax included as a v…
This story kept me awake far too late as I enjoyed the absurdities of the ruse as well as the sweet relationship of our dear couple. Entertaining!
The Art of Victory simply has it all. The verbal sparring is delicious. The attraction between the foes sparks on the page. I loved their partnership even as they battled. Martha Keyes has an unparalleled talent for creating believable, …
Having enjoyed the Tales from the Highlands series by the super talented Martha Keyes, it was delightful to discover that this story is about Elizabeth MacKinnon’s granddaughter Elena. Elizabeth was one of my favorite characters in that …
Five stars for a brilliantly creative story with some imaginative twists!
Just for Fun…
Check out my personal Nancy Drew collection!
For more than 30 years, I have been scouring antique stores on the hunt for Nancy Drew books. I’ve loved Nancy Drew books since I was a little girl. I love the cover art, as well as the stories about a smart, compassionate, independent, problem-solving girl. Thanks to LibraryThing and the Library of Congress database, I was able to compile a catalog of all 190 books in my collection, with accurate covers identical to those on my bookshelves.
