#blueysbookshelf

[blueysbookshelf]

The Rest Is History by Sara Madderson

I'm going to be VERY salty in this review...You've been warned.

The below is ABSOLUTELY CHOCK FULL of SPOILERS.

I was convinced to read this because the MCs were history teachers and he was the head of department and also played Henry VIII at Hampton Court and when he hires the FMC as a substitute teacher while someone else is on Mat leave he immediately falls for her, but refuses to treat her kindly because he's got a secret and he can't allow himself to be in a relationship because of it. Wait until you hear the secret...it's a doozy.

BUT...then the woman playing Anne B at Hampton Court has to have surgery (I'm guessing Cynthia ended up needing something doing....that's what I told myself) and since he overheard girlie saying she needed more money because she moved down there from The City (gag) to help her twin sister raise her daughter after twin sister's husband left her abruptly (fucking MEN) he offers her the part of Anne...and WHOOPS...they get a little too into the roles.

Guess his "secret" though...

The reason this man can't have a relationship with this woman, even though he is full on lusting after her, dicking her down in all the rooms at Hampton Court, drooling over her neck, and comparing it to ANNE B'S (excuse me?!?!?). This mother fucker takes her to a BBQ at his older brother's house...intro's her to all of his nieces and nephews, his brother and ex sister in law and current sister in law (because the brother knows how to coparent and they're all very mature...which I appreciated actually) and then the next fucking day breaks up with her because HE'S STERILE. He can't give her babies. And I am dying. Of all the misogynistic bullshit.

Woe is him. 🙄

And he knows that she loves him...he knows that if he tells her she's going to choose him and he doesn't feel like that's fair. He doesn't want to LET her choose to be with him in spite of the fact that his sperms aren't sperming so he gives her no choice. Because of course he doesn't.

And the whole thing is resolved when his two SILs go to the FMC and tell her because he's REFUSING TO and she goes to his house and is like:

And then she reminds him that things like sperm donors and adoptions exist.

I know infertility is an issue. I do. I know it's a sensitive topic and I don't mean to be rude about it. But it was insanely annoying that this man did NOTHING but beat himself up over it...even though he'd "been to therapy". It just felt so unrealistic to me that he wouldn't be able to discuss it with her. Like...who pulls the shit he pulled? (hide spoiler)]

TLDR: All in all...I was highly annoyed by this book and the writing. The plot was tenuously put together and I'm very glad that there was a blurb at the end of the book telling me that the author is also Elodie Hart and the author of the insanely BookTok popular Alchemy series...so I can avoid it.

[blueysbookshelf]

Good Spirits by BK Borison

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔥🔥

When I woke up this morning I was incredibly surprised, delighted, and excited, to find this DRC waiting on NetGalley for me. BK Borison is an auto-buy author for me because she's literally never let me down.

And let me tell you, she certainly didn't with this one.

This book's premise is an adorable twist on A Christmas Carol, where the ghost of an Irish fisherman from 1902, named Nolan, has been given the afterlife career of Ghost of Christmas Past. In this world there's a whole Department of Ghostly Affairs that handle many ghostly issues(and I can't wait to see what mischief they all get up to). Nolan is sent to show antique shop owner and chronic people pleaser, Harriet, the error of her ways before the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve. Except…none of Harriet's ways seem to have erred. 🤔

While both characters are very well fleshed out, we got a little more of Harriet's development than we did of Nolan's, and while the book definitely didn't suffer for it, I did find myself wishing to know more about him and his life in 1902.

The romance was so sweet and cozy, spicy (whew 🔥🔥), and lightly angsty, with absolutely no third act breakup and finishes with an absolutely lovely HEA.

I don't want to give much more away…but, be on the lookout for the most adorable kitty, candy canes galore, and multiple winky shout outs to everyone's favorite Christmas tree farm (which delighted the heck out of me everytime).

I genuinely can't wait to read this again when it's published and to listen to the audiobook over and over and over in the coming years.

Hoping book two comes to us soon because I am intrigued by the glimpses of possible MCs we got in this book and can't wait to see if it's Isabella (please let it be Isabella).

As always, thank you to Avon for providing this DRC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.

[blueysbookshelf]

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

LOOK AT THIS COVER 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

My rating: 5 of 5 stars As a musician myself I couldn't wait to read this book. Almost my entire romantic history has been with other musicians and I fully understand how powerful the bond of music can be between two people. Musicians love differently, I think because we feel emotion in a slightly different way…but I digress. This book felt like watching Mozart in the Jungle all over again…and for me that's a HUGE compliment because I adore that show. I was super sexy (the spice was just the right amount…and just so beautifully and emotionally written), and lyrical, musical (which is odd to explain because obviously I couldn't hear it, but I made the choice to listen to a classical playlist, filled with concertos, that I'd put together…just to give myself the atmosphere), while also being superbly plotted and paced. All of the side characters were fleshed out fairly well and in such a way that I didn't feel like they were taking over the story, nor did I want to know more about them (except for Dom…and I'm hoping we get a future book with him) because they were exactly what they were supposed to be, support for the two MCs. All in all this entire book felt incredibly realistic to me, like it could actually be happening, like Alex and Gwen might actually be in NYC, playing music in his apartment while I'm typing this…and that's honestly the highest compliment I can give a book…When I can imagine the characters as real people that I might want to bump into on the street or go and catch a performance from, I know it's a good one. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews ( see explanation here ) just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly it was that I liked/didn’t like. My rankings and ultimate rating are below. Characters: 9/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 9/10 Plot: 10/10 Intrigue: 10/10 Logic/Relationships: 10/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 total: 66/70 - divided by 7 = 9.4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 53 - Here For the Cake

Here For The Cake by Jennifer Millikin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I took a huge risk on this book and actually didn't read the reviews for it beforehand, just the blurb. I think I've only read one book by this author and while I rated that book 3 stars, I don't remember reading it at all…even though it was only three years ago. But this book…WHEW! I was at 38% in when I was already texting my bestie, telling her that I thought this was going to be a five star read for me…and it was. It so was. Everything about this was amazing. The communication between the MCs, Paisley and Klein, was impeccable. I thought for SURE I was going to be reading the dreaded miscommunication trope…but no…the thing that was miscommunicated was made clear very early in the story and both parties moved on…accepting it for what it was…a simple miscommunication. Both characters had issues to work through and both characters accepted the validation and affirmations they were being given by the other. It was a perfectly lovely relationship. All of the drama was extraneous to their relationship and it was so realistic and believable. The banter between Paisley and Klein was IMMACULATE and created incredible tension that held me in a chokehold. There were texts that had me giggling and blushing because they were so cute and flirty. Additionally, I very much appreciated the spice. It was spicy, but without all the crude euphemisms, which have their place…don't get me wrong…but they would have been weird in this particular setting. I honestly did not want this book to end and that's rare for me. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 9/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 10/10 Plot: 9/10 Intrigue: 9/10 Logic/Relationships: 9/10 Enjoyment: 9/10 Total rating 63/70 divided by 7 = 9 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: A DNF - A Matter of Temptation

A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid This is the second book by this author that I've tried because the blurbs sound so good…but I ended up DNFing them before I could even really get into them. The issue here is the stiltedness of the dialogue for me. For example: "I am to fight in a duel," he rushed out. "A duel!" He eyed her warily. "Yes." Bewilderment rushed through her. "What you say makes little sense. What do you mean you are to fight in a duel? Is this why you are heading to London?" He grimaced. "No, I plan to go back to London after the duel. I must leave soon or I will be branded a coward. We would be irretrievably ruined with no way forward if I am to develop such an indecent reputation." Mina padded closer to her brother, a tight feeling of panic gripping her. "Anthony, this is absurd. Dueling is illegal! If I recall correctly, they were made illegal many years ago. Just participating in a duel is a crime, and the risk to your person cannot be so lightly dismissed. How did you get involved in such a matter?" He gave her a longsuffering glance. "There are secretive, underground duels, Mina. Gentlemen have not stopped taking part in honor challenges because it was made illegal. Your naivete frustrates me." And that's where I stopped. Not seven pages in… SECRET UNDERGROUND DUELS?!?! Dueling is illegal IIRC? And then she has to go further to explain to him what illegal means?! No. No I can't. Forget about the lack of contractions…which is the peeviest of my pet peeves…because people USE contractions in real conversations. No one walks around talking to each other saying "No, I will not." "You cannot duel." "You should not risk your life this way" They use "won't", "can't" and "shouldn't"…But forget about that…Even with contractions this would have been the most ridiculous nonsense. So I DNF'd. I'm sorry to people who enjoy this author's work. I really am. Maybe it gets better? Is this an early work of hers? I did not (😏) check. I just noped out of there as fast as I could return it to the library. View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 33 - Catching Feelings

Catching Feelings by Maren Moore My rating: 4 of 5 stars I remember reading this and enjoying it very much…unfortunately that's about all I can remember at the moment…So, I'll need to come back and re-review this when I reread it.

I'm positive it wasn't anything wrong with the story, because I do have my CAWPILE ratings (see below) but for some reason my mind is blanking on this book…and I hate that because the CAWPILE says I really liked it. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 8/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 6/10 Writing: 8/10 Plot: 7/10 Intrigue: 8/10 Logic/Relationships: 8/10 Enjoyment: 8/10 Total rating 53/70 divided by 7 = 7.5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 31 - Against the Odds

Where's My Hero? by Lisa Kleypas My rating: 3 of 5 stars It's very clear to anyone who knows me (reads my reviews) that I adore Lisa Kleypas. I've read her entire backlog and adored almost everything she's ever written. I found her when I was a very young reader, probably around the age of 13, when Midnight Angel came out and I've loved her ever since (for reference, I'm 41yo now). She's an automatic buy for me and I don't see that changing should she put another book out (it's been a few years now and we're all kind of worried and missing her). I'd read about Jake Linley in multiple books of hers and somehow never knew that she'd written a novella about him (probably because I'm not the type to buy an anthology like this if I only want to read one of the stories in it and while I am a Quinn fan, I'm not familiar with MacGregor's work, though maybe I should be?) until I mentioned him in a Reddit forum one day and someone responded with the information about this anthology. So, I traipsed my little fingers over my keyboard and checked it out from my library and…well… Womp womp. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. And I'm not used to feeling "womp wompy" about Queen Kleypas' work. I do think that if we'd gotten a full length novel it would have been so much better. Linley was such an interesting character, charming and fun enough to more than carry his own full length story…and now that I think of it I'd have LOVED to see him as Dr. Garrett Gibson's mentor in Hello, Stranger…but, all in all, it was worth the read, even if only to have his character wrapped up in a bow and not dangling out in the ether of my imagination, wasting away for want of true love. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 5/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 5/10 Writing: 5/10 Plot: 5/10 Intrigue: 5/10 Logic/Relationships: 5/10 Enjoyment: 5/10 Total rating 35/70 divided by 7 = 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 30 - The Wallflower Wager

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare My rating: 4 of 5 stars Here's the thing about Tessa Dare…She's wittier than any other author I've ever read…and that's saying something. Her dialogue always slaps and the comedy in her books is always top tier. Absolutely one of my favorite things about any and all of her work are the sassy, spunky, adorable heroines and the men who fall for them almost immediately, despite telling themselves they absolutely will not fall in love. Gabriel Duke just wants to sell the house he bought…that's it…that's all. Is that too much to ask? It's a fine property, with a genteel lady of the Ton next door as it's main selling point. Easy, right? Wrong. Enter Lady Penelope Campion, Champion of All Downtrodden and Unloved Animals Everywhere. This woman has an entire menagerie of animals that she's rehabilitated and she refuses to give them up unless they all go to loving homes that will treat them with the same love and care she's given them. Gabriel endeavors to assist her with this rehoming project…but, as everyone saw coming, he fell in love with her, her goat, her parrot, her pig, her dog, her cat, her groundhogs, her rabbits…(disclaimer: I don't really think there were all that many animals…I was just trying to make a point. I hope you got it. 😉) and suddenly he doesn't need to sell the house as much as he needs to kiss her, cuddle her and her multitudinous pets and watching this man completely capitulate to Penelope and her animals (the man ate something called "sham" because Penny is a vegetarian…because of course she is…and so she creates fake food and names them funny things..sham is faux ham…it's a sham of ham…I'm literally cackling over here) and we love to see it. Truly one of the most adorable HistRoms ever written with the added bonus of my very favorite Shakespearean insult lover, Ash, making a return appearance. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 9/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 7/10 Writing: 9/10 Plot: 9/10 Intrigue: 10/10 Logic/Relationships: 9/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Total rating 63/70 divided by 7 = 9 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 29 - The Chemistry of Familiar Objects

The Chemistry of Familiar Objects by Alexandra Vasti My rating: 5 of 5 stars A virginal childrens book author and a chemist with a sharp tongue butt heads over and over and over, until the chemists laboratory is broken into and a dangerous item is stolen. This novella contained way more than I could have dreamed for the few pages it ran and I am not mad at it. The role reversals of the heroine being experienced and scientific and the hero being a sexually inexperienced creative was delightful. Sprinkle in some forced proximity due to dangerous circumstances, her eccentric family, some spicy spicy moments in a shed and you've got everything you need for a sweet and delightful romp. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 9/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10 Writing: 10/10 Plot: 10/10 Intrigue: 10/10 Logic/Relationships: 10/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Total rating 68/70 divided by 7 = 9.7 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 28 - The Duchess Deal

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare My rating: 5 of 5 stars I just really don't know what more anyone needs in a hero. * Wounded and scarred? ✔️ * Vigilante by night? ✔️ * Proper gentleman until he's not? ✔️ * Refuses to swear in front of a lady so he uses Shakespearean insults? ✔️✔️✔️ * Beast in the sheets? ✔️✔️✔️✔️ * Sweet marshmallow grumpy grump for his wife? ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ Show me a more perfect man…I'll wait. But no, seriously. This book was so cute and charming, while also dealing with some pretty gnarly topics for the time period. Emma and Ash were a match made in heaven, almost from the beginning and I enjoyed every second of my time with them. It's not quite Kleypas…but it's absolutely worth a read and a reread and another reread. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 8/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10 Writing: 10/10 Plot: 9/10 Intrigue: 9/10 Logic/Relationships: 9/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Total rating 64/70 divided by 7 = 9.1 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 27 - The Co-op

The Co-op by Tarah Dewitt My rating: 5 of 5 stars I keep trying to think of what I want to say about LaRynn and Deacon…but I can't…I can't come up with anything because there just aren't words to express how beautifully fun, heartfelt and touching this book was. Between this book and Funny Feelings, I am a Tarah Dewitt lover for life…everything she writes is golden for me and that's that on that. Read this. You'll love it. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 9/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 10/10 Plot: 9/10 Intrigue: 9/10 Logic/Relationships: 9/10 Enjoyment: 9/10 Total rating 63/70 divided by 7 = 9 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 21 - Alive and Wells

Alive and Wells by Bailey Hannah My rating: 4 of 5 stars I read this book on a whim. It happened to pop up in my KU feed and I read the sample to see if I could handle the author's writing style…and by the time I finished the sample I was hooked! The story starts off with Cecily in a not great place, trying to escape her abusive husband and the set up we're given to bring us into the story was so familiar to me in so many ways, though I've never been in an abusive intimate partner relationship, I did grow up in a very abusive home and the tiptoeing around that Cecily outlined for us was devastatingly familiar to me. And it's probably why it hooked me…I could feel her breaths, shallow and terrified and impatient to make a move. Once I finished this book I went to find Bailey Hannah's backlist because I loved her writing style and wanted more…and imagine my surprise and dismay to discover this was her debut novel. But also, BRAVO! It was a damn fine one. And I'm delighted to have found a new author just starting out. Austin and Cecily were lovely, a grump/cautious sunshine pairing that was absolute perfection. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 8/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 10/10 Plot: 9/10 Intrigue: 9/10 Logic/Relationships: 9/10 Enjoyment: 9/10 Total rating 62/70 divided by 7 = 8.8 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 17 - Take the Lead

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria My rating: 3 of 5 stars Man…I really wanted this to be better. It wasn't terrible by any means…but I just wanted more. The premise of this was so interesting, being set in a dance competition with some high stakes…but it kind of just fell flat. There was nothing wrong with the writing, it was wonderful…But the plot felt draggy. I'd have loved more time with them dancing and more tension between them while rehearsing. And I'd have certainly appreciated more communication and understanding between the MCs. I was bothered by how often Gina referenced being Latina and therefore expected to be seen as SPICY all the time…and while I kept telling myself that I'm not a Latina and I have no idea what ideals society puts on them…it felt a little too 'tell not show'. I'd have liked to have seen more instances of her being expected to be that ideal…rather than just her telling us that's what she was dealing with. I'd also have really appreciated a better explanation about Stone's family because that was confusing for the most part. However…it was well written and I'm not mad I spent my time reading it. Though I am glad it was a library book and not something I paid for. I was definitely ready for it to be finished. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 7/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 6/10 Writing: 8/10 Plot: 6/10 Intrigue: 5/10 Logic/Relationships: 7/10 Enjoyment: 6/10 Total rating 48/70 divided by 7 = 6.8 ⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 15 - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn My rating: 3 of 5 stars Why is everyone swooning over this man? Can someone please explain? Colin Bridgerton is NOT my kind of book boyfriend and the show isn't helping him at all. I reread this because I knew the new season was coming out and I wanted a refresher and I swear it almost put me off the show…which wouldn't be hard because it's so camp I can't handle it…literally the only thing I enjoyed in the first half of the season was Franny's plot and Cressida…and I SHOULD NOT be liking Cressida Cowper…but I digress. I'd hoped that I'd forgotten more about Colin but alas…I was wrong. He was still just as much of an overbearing, jealous, absolute shitpile on the reread as he was when I read it the first time…only I think I hated him more this time. He does NOT deserve Penelope. FULL STOP. That being said…I do really love the characterization of Pen in the book and actually prefer Book!Pen to Show!Pen in so many ways. Show!Pen is angry…all the time. She's not sweet or gentle or kind the way Book!Pen is. Book!Pen is strong and determined but she has a gorgeous core of love and decency that Show!Pen is sorely missing. I'd almost prefer Show!Colin with Book!Pen. Anyway…I didn't like Colin…but I did like the rest of the book and it's not badly written. The moments between Pen and Lady Danbury were lovely and sweet and I'm very thankful that Pen and Eloise weren't estranged (again…WTF SHOW?!) in the book. And I guess I'll reread it when and if I decide to reread the whole series. But this is probably my least favorite of the entire series…and that's saying something. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 7/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 8/10 Plot: 7/10 Intrigue: 6/10 Logic/Relationships: 6/10 Enjoyment: 6/10 Total rating 49/70 divided by 7 = 7.0 ⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 14 - Hating the Player

Hating the Player by Rebecca Jenshak My rating: 4 of 5 stars Second in the Campus Wallflowers series I wish I could say I liked this one better than the first, but I didn't. It was well written and paced…but there were issues. First: Gavin and Violet were just starting a relationship when she finds him coming out of her former roommates bedroom…but there's no explanation from him because he doesn't remember anything? My friend…why are you drinking that much? That's not healthy. Second: I understand feeling betrayed, but she already knew that her roommate wasn't a great person, so maybe she could have put her critical thinking cap on and waited to see what happened? I mean…I don't like a cheater, but maybe stop and think for a moment and ask yourself if what you think you're seeing really tallies with the guy you think he is…But no…let's just be mad immediately and stay that way…to the point that you make your life, your new roommates lives, and Gavin's life miserable. Lastly: Why does Violet never get to find out exactly what happened? Why does Gavin get no redemption? I know he fuckboi'd around after Violet broke things off…and I won't pretend to understand why that's interesting or romantic because it's DEFINITELY not…but he is a college kid and college kid do dumb things…But (view spoiler)[ this guy was essentially sexually assaulted and lost the girl he was falling in love with and we don't see any comeuppance for the girl who did that to him? Nor do we see him get redemption in the eyes of the girl he's fallen in love with? (hide spoiler)] I know it sounds like I didn't like this book…but I actually did. I really liked Gavin, despite his sleeping around, because once Violet gave him a second chance he was back in the game and focused on her. I enjoyed their shared love of movies and the way he supported her goals and hobbies. Overall it was a cute book…I just wish there had been some additions. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 7/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 6/10 Writing: 8/10 Plot: 7/10 Intrigue: 7/10 Logic/Relationships: 8/10 Enjoyment: 8/10 Total rating 51/70 divided by 7 = 7.2 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ View all my reviews

[blueysbookshelf]

2024: Book 14 - Honor's Splendour

Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood My rating: 3 of 5 stars I reread this one once I'd learned that Julie had left us, because I remembered it being one of my favorites of hers from when I was a wee babe just dipping my toe into HistRom. I think the first one I ever read was The Secret and then this one and I remember loving both of them. However, now, at my advanced age, I found myself getting annoyed with the MPDGness of Madelyne (please don't hate me…I still love her) and I had to remind myself that this book was likely written in the age of MPDG and Garwood was writing what was selling at the time, much like most of the HistRom written today has very feminist FMCs and MMCs. I'm sure in the next 20 years when I reread those I'll be annoyed with them as well. However, the story itself was lovely and I was pleasantly surprised by Duncan. I'd fully expected him to be much more caveman-ish…but he wasn't at all. He was much more progressive than I remembered him being and I very much enjoyed his adoration for Madelyne, almost from the moment she warmed his feet. All in all, revisiting Garwood was a treat and while it took me a minute to get settled into not just the time period she was writing about but the time period in which the book was written, I still had a great time. I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below. Characters: 7/10 Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10 Writing: 8/10 Plot: 8/10 Intrigue: 6/10 Logic/Relationships: 7/10 Enjoyment: 8/10 Total rating 44/70 divided by 7 = 6.2 ⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️ View all my reviews