#Sourcebook Casablanca

[triviareads]

ARC Review of A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

Summary:

Rufus, Earl of Oxney, has dealt with multiple attempts by his uncle to take his title away from him. Now, his uncle is claiming that not only is Rufus illegitimate, but he has proof by way of Lucas Doomsday, a secretary who hails from a notorious family of local smugglers. Rufus hires Lucas to help him search through family archives for proof of his legitimacy, and Lucas agrees, in part because he has his own reasons for being at the estate...

My review:

This is the first book I've read by KJ Charles and I only wish I'd read her works sooner because this was a fabulous read. I adored both of the main characters: Rufus is an ex-soldier, honorable with a bit of a temper. But you can't blame the poor guy; he's trying his best to improve the estate after years of neglect while being constantly challenged by his terrible family. Luke is a secretary who comes from a smuggler clan, so he has a raffish edge to an otherwise (mostly) proper façade. He's a schemer who uses his powers for good when it comes to helping Rufus... and other times not so much.

I loved Rufus and Luke's relationship: it's one that comes from a place of mutual understanding and respect which initially makes them friends and allies, and that actually seems to fuel their emotional and sexual attraction. Rufus did read as demisexual to me just based on what he says (thinks) about not seeing the point of having sex with someone you don't care for. And he finds that with Luke fairly early on, even if Luke has to make the first move ("either fuck me or fire me"... he's a brat can you tell).

Both men have a good deal of familial demons, past and present, and the narrative does a great job of having the characters examine them, reconcile where they can, but otherwise creating their own found family they can be happy around. In a way, it's in direct contract to the villains of the story, mostly Rufus's own family, who are miserable with one another, and yet prize their (Norman... you'll see the word "Norman" many times) blood above all.

The mystery aspect (two mysteries, really, and then another mystery no one expected to find the answer to but stumbled across anyway) was mostly tight and well done. I do think the second half became a little too mystery-heavy at the cost of the romance, but it all tied up neatly at the end. At times I wish I'd read The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen just so I knew Luke's background, especially relating to Sir Gareth and Joss Doomsday, but KJ did a pretty good job of filling in those blanks for the reader.

The sex:

Raw. Intimate. Sexy. I can't write this review without including the droit du seigneur aspect, which starts as a joke between Rufus and Luke, but very much ends up as a kink of sort for them in that Luke wants to be taken in the manner of a feudal lord in the olden days sleeping with a vessel's wife first on their wedding night (possessive, a bit rough), which I thought was very hot, and very well done. Luke is a bit of a brat and wants to make Rufus work for it, but Rufus is absolutely willing to rise to the challenge (both Luke and Rufus seem to have a competence kink too). A relentless man, if you will.

Because of how the plot progresses, there's actually a lot more sex scenes in the first half of the book than in the second, but honestly the wait pays off because by the time they're reunited, the emotions are just that much heightened by the fact that they love one another now. I was actually near tears when Luke admits that when he first asked Rufus to "fuck him like he owns him", he really wished that he was his. It was so so romantic.

Overall:

I'd recommend this book to anyone, but specifically readers looking for a romance intertwined with a mystery or adventure, and anyone looking for a queer historical romance. I loved this book so much, and I'm looking forward to reading more KJ Charles.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

So glad I didn’t give up on this book early on…I found it rambling and had trouble getting into it BUT when I finally did, I was totally invested and eager to find out why Sam and Jonathan had become as they were and what their backstories might be. I had trouble, at first seeing them together or even warming to them but…that began to change as I kept reading and by the end…was happy they had found and brought out the best in one another while also growing and becoming more comfortable in their own skin.

This is a very British feeling rom-com with a loving rather wacky family provided by Jonathan and a diverse group of people that Sam was managing and working with. There were times I chuckled, other times I worried that I worried how things would work out, and times that I wanted to sit one or the other down and have a good talking to them.

This is a book that made me care about the outcome even though it was not easy to get into. I believe I would read another book by this author if the synopsis appealed to me and even though British rom-coms are not my favorite cup of tea ;)

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

BLURB

Fake amnesia. Real feelings? Real problems. Sam Becker loves―or, okay, likes―his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git. Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything? Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guilt―as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?

[doodlesink]

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper -- Book Review

Happy Tuesday!  Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper is out today.  Check out the debut of the Starfall Point series.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2023/09/witches-get-stuff-done-by-molly-harper.html

[danielleurbansblog]

Review: Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay

Synopsis: An extraordinary new series from an extraordinary author… Abby Curtis has made such a mess of her life that Rock Bottom is an ambitious climb. With nowhere else to go, she lands on her Aunt Reva’s doorstep at Buckaroo Barn, home to a motley assortment of rescue animals. Reva, a telepathic animal communicator, gives Abby time to reinvent herself by leaving Abby in charge of the farm…

[overflowingshelf]

ARC Review: The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour

The Lady He Lost Faye Delacour Publisher: sourcebooks Casablanca Publication Date: April 2, 2024 Series or Standalone: Lucky Ladies of London #1 Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph Rating: MY REVIEW CW: Kidnapping; toxic relationship (not main couple); death of parents (off-page) I first fell in love with The Lady He Lost because of its stunning cover! And I’m so glad…

[the-novel-approach-reviews]

Review: A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

Title: A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel Series: The Doomsday Books: Book Two Author: KJ Charles Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Length: 333 Pages Category: Historical Romance Rating: 5 Stars At a Glance: When KJ Charles escalates the threat to life and limb, this story tightens its grip and doesn’t relent for breathless moments in time. It is anxiety manifested by the written word,…

[bargainsleuthbooks]

#TheLonelyHeartsBookClub #LucyGilmore #BookReview #AudiobookReview #contemporaryfiction #Sourcebooks #Dreamscapemedia #chicklit #romance #KindleDeal

Lovely book about the friendships created by books. #TheLonelyHeartsBookClub #LucyGilmore #BookReview #Audiobook #AudiobookReview #ContemporaryFiction #Booksaboutbooks #chicklit #Romance #kindledeal #sourcebooks #Dreamscapemedia #2023books #libraries

Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane’s day that when Arthur doesn’t show up one morning, she’s instantly concerned. And…

[kkecreads]

The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt

Published: April 11, 2023 Sourcebooks Casablanca Genre: Romance Pages: 334 KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily. Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories. Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and…

[kinziethings]

REVIEW: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

REVIEW: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by @kj_charles Wonderful book! Intrigue, action, sizzling romance... twists and turns! #books #MMromance #historicalMMRomance v

  Bridgerton meets Poldark in this sweeping LGBTQIA+ Regency romance from award-winning author KJ Charles Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that’s over almost as quickly as it began. Bitter at the sudden rejection, Gareth…

[vkelleyart]

LONDON CALLING SERIES SPECIAL EDITION

So excited to share this dream commission for Illumicrate/Afterlight Books! Behold the exclusive Special Editions of Alexis Hall’s LONDON CALLING Series, featuring dust jackets illustrated by me! ❤️💙

Details from Afterlight Books:

We’re delighted to announce our Afterlight Exclusive London Calling Set by Alexis Hall in collaboration with Sourcebooks Casablanca!

Our editions of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL and HUSBAND MATERIAL are signed, exclusive B format Hardbacks and feature all exclusive:

Redesigned covers with illustrations by @vkelleyart and overall design by @chattynora

Digitally printed edges by @chattynora

Foil on the hardback by @chattynora

Endpaper artwork by @llstarcasterll

Bound-in author letters

*Please note that these images are mockups and finished copies may differ slightly.

The set is priced at £45+shipping and VAT if applicable, and will be shipping in June/July. This set comes under our ‘Box Subscription’ shipping category and our shipping rates can be viewed at http://illumicrate.com/shipping-rates. General sale starts at 3pm BST on Thursday 18th May.

We will be holding a presale for active Afterlight subscribers. Details of when this is will be emailed out on Wednesday 10th May (the presale will not take place on this day).

More information (and images) will emerge over the coming months, and I will do my best to update this post as I have more details to share. Afterlight Editions can/will be found here: https://www.illumicrate.com/shop/category/afterlight. ❤️

[triviareads]

ARC Review of The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour

Rating: 3.5/5 Heat Level: 3/5 Publication Date: April 2nd

Premise:

Everyone is shocked when Lieutenant Eli Williams seemingly returns from the dead after being lost at sea in a shipwreck, no one more so than Jane Bishop, who was his friend and secretly loved him despite his prior engagement to her cousin.

My review:

This is Faye Delacour's debut novel; it's a friends-to-lovers romance by way of unrequited love (I wouldn't really say there's an enemies aspect, especially if the enmity is so one-sided). Jane had feelings for Eli which she thought he did not reciprocate back in the day, then he was caught in a compromising position with her cousin and they were engaged before Eli was lost at sea. I'm gonna be honest: I did not expect the level of resentment Jane showed Eli once he reappeared, but here's my thing: Eli does not owe Jane anything. All he ever did was treat her like a friend before he was caught with her cousin (regardless of what he tells Jane later in the book about his feelings for her before the shipwreck, which I did not find very convincing), and what more, the cousin ultimately married someone else and Eli obviously doesn't feel anything for the cousin anymore. I'm very careful when it comes to checking my biases regarding "unlikeable" heroines or unlikeable things heroines do, and look, unhappiness over unrequited love is natural (though I'm always a bit annoyed when heroines are insecure about their appearance and compare themselves to other women like Jane constantly does with her cousin), but I'd be equally irritated with a hero if he behaved in a similarly rude manner towards his heroine, as if she owed him something.

That being said, I did find it funny when Jane's resentment towards Eli took a turn and she actively started questioning what he was up to during the years he disappeared and was ostensibly kidnapped by pirates, purely out of spite. Does she come across as a narc? Yes, but it's also kind of hysterical when she's interrogating him in front of his navy boss or a bunch of society ladies and he's anxiously trying to communicate through his gaze for her to Shut Up. However, her words do end up having actual consequences, namely, him getting court-martialed for possible desertion.

Eli and Jane begin a no-strings attached affair by the middle of the book, however, Jane is still under the impression he could never want her long-term, and that she will always be seen as second best to her cousin (who also fans the flames with her constant need to put Jane down and her insistence that Eli still has feelings for her), which is admittedly rough to read. There is also the ladies gambling club that Jane is trying to start with a friend, but I feel that subplot was mostly set aside as Jane became entangled with Eli once more.

The sex:

There are actually two instances of the rare male masturbation scenes in historical romance in this book; the second one immediately follows dry-humping and Eli can't wait anymore before jerking off in front of Jane. The good thing is, he reciprocates very thoroughly afterwards. There is also some surprise virgin rep.

Overall:

While this book wasn't quite for me, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a friends-to-lovers historical romance that is very much a slow-burn as far as feelings go.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

The Doomsday Books #2

Flat open moorland in 1823 could be a desolate lonely place for some but for others it is a place of intrigue and danger, dysfunctional families and family feuding, messes to clear up, and fertile soil for the growth of potential happily ever after romances for more than one. Great story that kept me awake till almost two this morning – had to finish before I slept last night!

What I liked:

* Rufus: retired major, newly minted earl, in the midst of trying to restore his estate, dealing with evil relatives, in need of someone to assist and perhaps befriend him, caring, kind, short tempered, loud, and lovely, perfect for and with Rufus

* Luke: educated, experienced secretary, loves to create order and be helpful, from a smuggling family, had a difficult childhood, carries baggage and scars from the past, has secrets, a bit of a schemer, perfect for and with Rufus

* The slow burn but then steamy relationship that develops between Rufus and Luke and being able to see the two men as a happy couple

* The way more than one character impacts another in a positive way

* Getting to see and catch up with some of the characters in the previous book

* The setting, plot, pacing, and writing

* That I was drawn in and cared about the outcome

* Being able to hate the bad guys – and be happy when they were dealt with

* Hoping that there will be another book in this series

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about inheritance and how ruthless some people can be when trying to achieve their goals

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

Major Rufus d'Aumesty has unexpectedly become the Earl of Oxney, master of a remote Norman manor on the edge of the infamous Romney Marsh. There he's beset on all sides, his position contested both by his greedy uncle and by Luke Doomsday, son of a notorious smuggling clan. The earl and the smuggler should be natural enemies, but cocksure, enragingly competent Luke is a trained secretary and expert schemer—exactly the sort of man Rufus needs by his side. Before long, Luke becomes an unexpected ally...and the lover Rufus had never hoped to find. But Luke came to Stone Manor with an ulterior motive, one he's desperate to keep hidden even from the lord he can't resist. As the lies accumulate and family secrets threaten to destroy everything they hold dear, master and man find themselves forced to decide whose side they're really on...and what they're willing to do for love.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Seven years ago, I lost him for good. Now he's back, but is he still the Jay Gatsby I used to know…or is he something more? Something…darker.

Daisy Finnegan is looking forward to the endless golden freedom of summer. She doesn't want to think about life after college, or the newly awakened power of her voice, which has a way of making people do frightening things. But when her cousin goes missing at an exclusive house party, Daisy confronts the mysterious host…only to discover the wealthy recluse is Jay Gatsby, her childhood sweetheart—now sinfully hot and impossible to deny.

It isn't long before Daisy becomes entangled in a web of dizzying wealth and lies and obsession darker than she could have dreamed—culminating in a shocking act of violence that shatters the summer haze and threatens to drown them all.

But it isn't until Gatsby is shot through the heart—and survives—that Daisy discovers the truth of how Gatsby clawed his way up in the world by selling the secret of immortality to the highest bidder. Now with her friends' lives at stake, her own untested power still volatile, and an unimaginable threat closing in, Daisy will have to face an impossible choice: side with the man who claimed her body and soul…or with the monsters who would see him lost to her forever.

An addictive and truly original spicy New Adult retelling of The Great Gatsby with a magical twist.

Review:

A modern magical day retelling of the Great Gatsby except with Vampires and Daisy falls for the Villain (Jay)? SAY LESS I WANT IT. Daisy Finnegan is a college student who is looking forward to a summer of freedom and fun, especially after getting out of a terrible relationship with her ex boyfriend Tom, whom she found cheated on her. On top of that Daisy has just awakened a new ability, her voice can persuade people to do whatever she wants... and she has to keep that in check. When she is invited by her friend Jordan to a mysterious house party where her cousin goes missing at and comes back with mysterious marks on his body... Daisy is determined to find out what happened to him and who the host of the real party is. Only she discovers that the mysterious host, the extremely wealthy recluse... is none other than Jay Gatsby, her childhood sweetheart who disappeared and ghosted her.... and now he's back and determined to prove to her that he is going to be part of her life. Yet the closer Daisy gets to Jay the more secrets she is beginning to realize he has and that seven years apart has changed him in more ways than one. The closer she gets to Jay's world the more Tom's obsession with getting her back grows... and the darker both paths become as one of them is a monster and Daisy will have to figure out which villain she'll let into her heart and which one she'll destroy. This was a really fun take on the classic story and oh boy was it much spicier. I did enjoy the whole vampire twist of it all and I'll always be a Jay Gatsby girl so I love that he is a bit of a villain but he is also the love interest and they do get a happy ending. I am so excited for this series of villainous dark romance retellings of the characters and I can't wait to read the next on which just happens to be Dorian Gray!!! Absolutely pick up this book if you love a fun take on a classic!!

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[musingsofmonica]

May 2023 Diverse Reads

May 2023 Diverse Read

•”Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang, May 16, William Morrow & Company, Literary Thriller 

•”Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care” by

Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba, May 16, Haymarket Books, Political and Activism & Social Justice

•”Good Night, Irene” by Luis Alberto Urrea, May 30, Little Brown and Company, Historical 

•”The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese, May 02, Grove Press, Literary Historical 

•”Chain-Gang All Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, May 02, Pantheon Books, Literary 

•”Warrior Girl Unearthed” by Angeline Boulley, May 02, Henry Holt & Company, Thriller/Suspense 

•”Ander & Santi Were Here” by Jonny Garza Villa, May 02, Wednesday Books, YA Contemporary Romance

•”Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea” by Rita Chang-Eppig, May 30, Bloomsbury Publishing, Literary Historical 

•”Whale” by Cheon Myeong-Kwan, Chi-Young Kim (Translator) — Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, May 02, Archipelago Books, Magical Realism

•”Quietly Hostile: Essays” by Samantha Irby, May 16, Vintage, Memoir in Essays

•”You Are Here” by Karin Lin-Greenberg, May 02, Counterpoint, Contemporary 

•”Did You Hear about Kitty Karr?” by Crystal Smith Paul, May 02, Henry Holt & Company, Historical

•”The Lost Journals of Sacajewea” by Debra Magpie Earling, May 23, Milkweed Editions, Historical 

•”Hula” by Jasmin Iolani Hakes, May 02, Harpervia, Historical — Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

•”Dances” by Nicole Cuffy, May 16, One World, Literary

•”Horse Barbie: A Memoir” by Geena Rocero, May 30, Dial Press, Memoir 

•”Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity” by Leah Myers, May 16, W. W. Norton & Company, Memoir in Essays

•The Late Americans” by Brandon Taylor, May 23, Riverhead Books, Literary

•Sugar, Spice, and Can't Play Nice” by Annika Sharma, May 02, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Romance

•”The East Indian” by Brinda Charry, May 02, Scribner Book Company, Historical 

Happy Reading! — mo✌️

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Once More Upon a Time | Author: Roshani Chokshi | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (2021)

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour

3.5/5. Releases 4/2/2024.

Vibes: back from the dead, sweet guy/card sharp girl, unfinished business

Heat Index: 6/10

For two years, Lieutenant Eli Williams has been presumed dead following a shipwreck. He comes home to find that his money's gone (thanks to his brother), his fiancee married another man, and his former friend Jane... still hates him. Though Eli wants to fix things before returning to sea, Jane has bigger plans in mind. Eli chose her cousin over her, and she's bent on locking in her own future through her ladies' gambling club. As Eli works to regain her affection by bringing in new members, she's determined to resist--but can she?

This is one of those books where I liked the writing style and saw definite potential in the author (and it's important to note, I think, that this is her debut). However, I can't say that I was completely wowed. This is a brisk romance with some solid heat, and I would recommend it for readers who like something on the lighter side, if that makes sense. I just personally would've preferred a bit more done with this concept.

Quick Takes:

--Part of why I may be a little more on the "whelmed" side with this one is that I don't know that the marketing matches this book. This is a great cover--and I do feel like the lighting, the colors, the intimacy suggest something a bit angstier when coupled with the back copy. Despite it being a book about two people coming back together after the hero is presumed dead... It never felt that serious?

And because it didn't feel that serious, I also didn't really get the anger Jane felt towards Eli. Personally, it felt a bit "I had dibs on him!" which I.... don't care for! I enjoy an unlikable heroine, but I just didn't get Jane. I didn't get her beef with Eli. It felt unjustified, but it also felt like the story didn't get that it was unjustified, which made her come off as annoying. For me, at least. I did enjoy her angle as a card sharp.

--I appreciated Delacour's effort to add diversity into the story. Yes, a supporting queer character who doesn't suffer isn't like, smashing windows, but it does matter. Especially in historical romance, which can be more on the conservative side. Casual positive representation makes a difference, and it's the kind of little detail that makes me feel like the author was really thinking carefully as she wrote.

--Eli is a sweetie. The thing is that because he's a sweetie, you kind of have to accept him taking a lot of shit from Jane throughout the story. And if he's taking a lot of shit without really dishing it out, is it? Enemies to lovers? I'd say no. It's not a bad thing, but it's not enemies to lovers.

The Sex:

You get several good scenes, not that are super explicit, but all of which are sexy. I really enjoyed the fact that this is a book wherein the leads begin a "casual" situationship... While also clarifying that he can't put it in. Because historical romance and the heroine caring about whether or not she gets pregnant.

(Do they fully succeed in the whole "not putting it in" thing? Well, perhaps for longer than they would have had this book come out 20 years ago.)

You get some hero masturbation (yes!) some dry humping, and... ladies and gentlemen... we have virgin hero! The sex isn't crazy, but it is hot, in and in large part because of how Delacour writes Eli's mindset. Poor fella. God bless him.

I wish I'd loved this, but I was kind of in the camp of "it didn't thrill me, it didn't make me mad, and I do see promise". I'd like to try something else from Faye Delacour. However, I do think we need to see more drama to back up the hype for the next release.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.