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jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
769 reviews
The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is extremely bonkers and extremely lovely. It’s an impressive accomplishment.
A second chance romance between a very powerful Duke with scandalous secrets and the Lady he’s loved for years.
When Eleanor discovers some of Hart’s secrets and rushes to help, Hart seizes the moment to win her back.
As his political career crescendoes and her goals come to fruition, Hart and Eleanor battle political enemies, violence, meddling family members, major secrets, and each other.
Watching her bring him to his knees (multiple times) was glorious.
Plus the author’s note is outstanding and in the audio version!
A second chance romance between a very powerful Duke with scandalous secrets and the Lady he’s loved for years.
When Eleanor discovers some of Hart’s secrets and rushes to help, Hart seizes the moment to win her back.
As his political career crescendoes and her goals come to fruition, Hart and Eleanor battle political enemies, violence, meddling family members, major secrets, and each other.
Watching her bring him to his knees (multiple times) was glorious.
Plus the author’s note is outstanding and in the audio version!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
On a Midsummer Night by Liana De la Rosa
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perhaps the best HistRom marriage in crisis romance I've ever read?!?! Certainly tied with Day of the Duchess!
Brought back together after a 3 year estrangement when Isabella discovers someone is forging her husband's art, Isabella and Mac are still wildly in love. Unfortunately, Isabella's heart remains tender and Mac remains unable to express himself properly.
As family (both sides) drama, a bonkers stalker situation coupled with a surprise baby, a pregnant sister in law (hey Beth and Ian!!), and their very intense and very lustful (whew this book is hot) feelings collide, Isabella and Ian are forced to be honest, sometimes brutally, with each other and themselves.
Mac's work to rebuild and get sober after Isabella leaves him and Isabella's determination in the face of crushing grief, a rejection from her family, and a broken heart made this impossible to put down.
Brought back together after a 3 year estrangement when Isabella discovers someone is forging her husband's art, Isabella and Mac are still wildly in love. Unfortunately, Isabella's heart remains tender and Mac remains unable to express himself properly.
As family (both sides) drama, a bonkers stalker situation coupled with a surprise baby, a pregnant sister in law (hey Beth and Ian!!), and their very intense and very lustful (whew this book is hot) feelings collide, Isabella and Ian are forced to be honest, sometimes brutally, with each other and themselves.
Mac's work to rebuild and get sober after Isabella leaves him and Isabella's determination in the face of crushing grief, a rejection from her family, and a broken heart made this impossible to put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In Book 1 of The Doomsday Books by KJ Charles, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, we meet Sir Gareth Inglis, the reluctant baronet, & Mr. Joss Doomsday, leader of the Doomsday smuggling clan. Gareth (“London”) and Joss (“Kent”) have a week long love affair ended by Gareth in a moment of panic and heartbreak. Soon enough, in a courtroom of all places, they cross paths again and their reconnection begins.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is an interracial, gay, second chance, rivals to lovers, class differences, found family, mystery fueled, and adventurous romance. These two and their late night meetings to tryst or go hunting for cool beetles, or both (!!) learn love, trust, kindness, and devotion together.
Highlight: even though both men have numerous awful family members Gareth’s step-aunt/housekeeper and Joss’s grandfather provide a tremendous amount of support for and understanding of their relationship.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is an interracial, gay, second chance, rivals to lovers, class differences, found family, mystery fueled, and adventurous romance. These two and their late night meetings to tryst or go hunting for cool beetles, or both (!!) learn love, trust, kindness, and devotion together.
Highlight: even though both men have numerous awful family members Gareth’s step-aunt/housekeeper and Joss’s grandfather provide a tremendous amount of support for and understanding of their relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism and Slavery
Nobody's Princess by Erica Ridley
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nobody’s Princess is book 3 in Erica Ridley’s bonkers, funny, adventurous, delightful, and romantic The Wild Wynchesters series.
The series centers on the 6 adopted children of a recently deceased Baron from an obscure and tiny country near the Netherlands. The Wynchesters are a family of heroes, working together day and night to fight injustices. This book is Graham’s story.
After losing his mother in horrific fashion and realizing that their employers had built their life such that no one would remember her, Graham is determined that no one in London will be forgotten. With an army of spies and his beloved siblings, and using his wall climbing and roof jump skills (honed during his days a circus performer), Graham has amassed an entire room of information about people.
When he notices coded messages in the London papers implying a royal from his adopted father’s homeland has gone missing, Graham, who once dreamed as a child that he was in fact a royal, is determined to help.
Turns out the missing royal is no damsel in distress but the fierce, intelligent, powerful, and just as determined, Kunigunde de Heusch. In England on a secret mission of her own (to become the first female member of her country’s royal guard by proving her worth on a reconnaissance trip), Kunigunde reluctantly agrees to Graham’s help and eventually becomes part of a Winchester adventure.
As they work independently (she’s still reconnaissance-ing) and together, Graham and Kunigunde find time to trade some histories (I loved the symmetry of their shared trauma and resilience) and steal lots of kisses. It’s a sloooooooow burn but Kunigunde is HOT and the intimate scene (almost all from Graham’s POV) is all about how incredible she is. BTW, Graham is also hot but Kunigunde, whew. The internal conflict (why they cannot be together forever) is so convincing and so very well done, it had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
This installment of the Wynchesters is even more plot heavy than the others, which I suspect some HistRoms fans won’t love. That said, there are happy endings all over the place, hilarious critiques of the imperial measurement system, racial and sexual orientation diversity, acrobatics, sword fighting, road trips, secret identities, lots and lots of all the Wynchesters together scenes, and parliamentary maneuvers and those less legal in support of the labor movement. Plus the resolution to the internal conflict is all her choice and it was perfect.
Also, Imani Jade Powers nails the narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was eagerly anticipating this read and it did not disappoint.
I love the world Marske built: gender fluid, racially diverse, economically varied, nods to HistRom aristocratic themes, and so very detailed.
This novel is, at its core, a love story between two men who know they should not be falling for each other but simply cannot help themselves.
In a nod to tradition, and anticipating a challenge, Matti (the son of a prominent family), hires a best man, Luca, whose role at Matti’s upcoming wedding is to defend Matti’s position as the groom. Luca is however not who he claims and Matti has a big family secret.
Important to note here that in addition to the best man arrangement, Matti blackmails Luca into giving him sword fighting lessons after Luca scams him.
Anyway, as their working relationship turns into a friendship and then a love affair, they also start to tell each other some truths, and start investigating just what is happening to Matti’s family.
Villains get caught, parents apologize, siblings explain themselves, and there’s even a lovely mini secondary romance. Plus it’s hot and Omari Douglas is the perfect narrator.
It starts out a little slow but it’s worth it.
I love the world Marske built: gender fluid, racially diverse, economically varied, nods to HistRom aristocratic themes, and so very detailed.
This novel is, at its core, a love story between two men who know they should not be falling for each other but simply cannot help themselves.
In a nod to tradition, and anticipating a challenge, Matti (the son of a prominent family), hires a best man, Luca, whose role at Matti’s upcoming wedding is to defend Matti’s position as the groom. Luca is however not who he claims and Matti has a big family secret.
Important to note here that in addition to the best man arrangement, Matti blackmails Luca into giving him sword fighting lessons after Luca scams him.
Anyway, as their working relationship turns into a friendship and then a love affair, they also start to tell each other some truths, and start investigating just what is happening to Matti’s family.
Villains get caught, parents apologize, siblings explain themselves, and there’s even a lovely mini secondary romance. Plus it’s hot and Omari Douglas is the perfect narrator.
It starts out a little slow but it’s worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Simply Love by Mary Balogh
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, and Abandonment
Heat and Run by Adriana Herrera
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book will melt your face off and you really don't need to understand the omegaverse at all (I don't) to enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Updated (Nov. 2024) after a reread via audio. I'm not sure why but I previously failed to give this book it's due praise. Herrera's perfect twist on the starchy Duke with Cora, the setting of the artist and lesbian community in Paris, Manuela's magnificent character arc, the groups of friends (bringing champagne and cheese to nurse a heartbreak), a patriarchy and racism critique, plus the outstanding author's note and perfect narration by Nneka Okoye make this book an absolute banger.
Don't skip it.
From May 2023:
I have to admit I was nervous starting this book. Book 1, Luz Alana specifically, knocked me off my feet. It and she are in my top my romance books/heroines of all time.
I also have to admit when I’m wrong. This is Adriana Herrera! Of course the next Leona was going to be superb and of course her Duchess was going to be a stunning character and of course I was going to love this book.
I highlighted more than two dozen moments!
The story is a delight from the start. The friendships both these woman have are powerful. The lust love and eventual trust between Cora and Manuela jumps right off the page.
Herrera writes characters who have lots to teach and are open to learning more. Race, gender, sexuality, class, are all integral parts of the journey.
Manuela learns to value herself and her future. Cora learns to value her accomplishments and herself. These two women are loved by their people but get the chance to really be themselves together.
The side characters, as always in Herrera’s books, add a colorful completeness to the story. I especially loved the Leonas honesty with each other and Cora’s supportive and realistic stepson and aunt.
Finally, today’s #fridaykiss is #image and I think imagery is perhaps Herrera’s fiercest talent. I can see the colors of Manuela’s dresses and the crisp lines of Cora’s lapels, appreciate the art they discuss as if I’m there in the gallery too, feel the humidity in the greenhouse, and sense the tension as the story climaxes.
Also, the grovel is perfect and READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE.
What a beautiful, romantic, sexy, empowering, and honest novel. An Island Princess Starts a Scandal is out May 30th!!
Don't skip it.
From May 2023:
I have to admit I was nervous starting this book. Book 1, Luz Alana specifically, knocked me off my feet. It and she are in my top my romance books/heroines of all time.
I also have to admit when I’m wrong. This is Adriana Herrera! Of course the next Leona was going to be superb and of course her Duchess was going to be a stunning character and of course I was going to love this book.
I highlighted more than two dozen moments!
The story is a delight from the start. The friendships both these woman have are powerful. The lust love and eventual trust between Cora and Manuela jumps right off the page.
Herrera writes characters who have lots to teach and are open to learning more. Race, gender, sexuality, class, are all integral parts of the journey.
Manuela learns to value herself and her future. Cora learns to value her accomplishments and herself. These two women are loved by their people but get the chance to really be themselves together.
The side characters, as always in Herrera’s books, add a colorful completeness to the story. I especially loved the Leonas honesty with each other and Cora’s supportive and realistic stepson and aunt.
Finally, today’s #fridaykiss is #image and I think imagery is perhaps Herrera’s fiercest talent. I can see the colors of Manuela’s dresses and the crisp lines of Cora’s lapels, appreciate the art they discuss as if I’m there in the gallery too, feel the humidity in the greenhouse, and sense the tension as the story climaxes.
Also, the grovel is perfect and READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE.
What a beautiful, romantic, sexy, empowering, and honest novel. An Island Princess Starts a Scandal is out May 30th!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism