Confessions of an Improper Bride by Jennifer Haymore

Goodreads Description:

TWICE TEMPTED

Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.

Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?

My Rating:

My Review:


This book answered all the questions I formed when I read the second book prior to this book.  However, this book created a few questions that weren't answered in the second book and I'd love to know the answers to!

First, the last conversation Serena and Jonathan have with the capital some things are revealed however they aren't even touched in the second book and so I want to know what happens with him and his complications.  I also was very disappointed with Meg's death.  The author makes a big deal about them being able to see land when the storm hits that drags Meg out to sea.  I can't wait to read the third book about the captain and someone who looks like Meg!

Serena's trying to live a lie is interesting to read and seeing her struggle is a good read however it got boring sometimes.  Her internal struggle between love and honor are again interesting to read but are beat to death and drawn out to the point where I wanted to just throw the book.  But I didn't because there were some redeeming qualities to the story.  Like Phoebe's romance and rebellion and how that shows Serena what she has to do with her internal struggle.  I love her Aunt, who is so catting it's fun to read and I loved Jonathan's first cousin and I hope there is a book about her and her finding love! I will be reading the 3rd book just so I can see if Meg resurfaces and if so what happened to her and if the captain will have a happily ever after!

Beware a Scots Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries

Goodreads Description:

"Someone's going to call your bluff someday, Venetia you'd better hope it's not a handsome man." Mrs. Charlotte Harris, Headmistress 

Lady Venetia Campbell's visit to her childhood home in Scotland takes a dramatic turn when she's kidnapped at pistol point by her father's sworn enemy. Sir Lachlan Ross is widely feared in his guise as The Scottish Scourge, but Venetia remembers her former neighbor as a handsome youth whose attentions she craved. Now a wickedly sexy man, Lachlan's appeal is even more intoxicating... and much more dangerous. Though Lachlan tries to treat her as his foe, his scorching kisses tell another story. And despite his plan to use her as a weapon against her father, Venetia is determined that Lachlan's lust for revenge will be trumped by an even more powerful desire....

My Rating:

My Review:

All the previous books hinted to this book and the Scotland Scourge.  Venetia Campbell was one of Mrs. Harris' students and after quite a few seasons her father is fed up.  She makes a deal with her father to let her go to Scotland for a Peer Ball and that she promises to accept a proposal with in the year.  Her father agrees, under the impression that the Scourge is dead.  Her father knows more about the Scourge then he leads on.  Through out the book, Sir Lachlan Ross teaches Venetia about what has been happening in Scotland since she left as a child and in return Venetia teaches Lachlan how to feel and love again.  I felt horrible for Lachlan and all he's lost and suffered then near the end I felt so bad for Venetia and her family and all they've suffered as well.  I was so happy to see all ends well in the end, as I absolutely HAVE to have a happily ever after ending.  There were quite a few bumps and bruises along the way though and that just made it even better to read.  Highly recommend, especially if you have read the others in this series. Now if only we knew who Cousin Michael was!

The School for Heiresses by Sabrina Jeffries, Liz Carlyle, Julia London, and Renee Bernard

Goodreads Description:

At the School for Heiresses, the lessons go far beyond etiquette and needlepoint. In addition to teaching her students how to avoid fortune hunters, headmistress and founder Charlotte Harris proposes the radical notion that women of means need not shackle themselves to men at all -- unless they find a suitable, desirable mate. So lessons in the fine art of acquiring a loving and passionate husband are part of the curriculum at this highly unusual school. And as the holidays approach, Mrs. Harris sends her young ladies home with personally tailored lessons to work on. Will they return any closer to finding the perfect husband? 

Join this dazzling roster of authors as they put their own spin on the School for Heiresses in four spirited tales of passion!

My Rating:

My Review:

I enjoyed this anthology, which is rare for me because I usually don't enjoy them as much.  There were 4 stories each by a different author but all involving a student of Mrs. Harris.  I absolutely loved Sabrina Jeffries because I wanted to know what happened to Colin Hunt from his introduction in a previous story.  I also highly enjoyed Liz Carlyle and Julia London's story. They kept to Sabrina Jeffries world very well and I hardly noticed that they were written by different authors.  I did not enjoy Renee Bernard's as much however.  I found myself wandering and putting it down a lot.  I just wasn't drawn into the story or found myself caring much about the romance.  It wasn't a bad story but just not something I would have picked up otherwise.  I definitely recommend picking this book up though just so you can get some more heiress action!

How to Woo A Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries

Goodreads Description:

The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe. 

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination. 

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.

My Rating:

My Review:

Great third book of the Hellions of Halstead Hall.  Minerva's story didn't disappoint and I loved how she made Giles work for her affection and her agreement to marry him.  I enjoyed Minerva's spirit and personality in the other books and was happy to read more about her and the depth of her feelings.  I also enjoyed the advances the family has made to find out what happened with their parents and I love the ending with their cousin!  Giles had a rough life as well and has a strong sense of justice, to the point of being an informant for Home Office.  He decides to stop when his life as a barrista get's noticed and he has a chance to been a Kings Council, much like a prosecutor in the US. Minerva challenges all he believes is true about love and how one lives ones life.  Their romance is trying at times and so fulfilling in the end!  Glad I read this and I can not wait to get the fourth!

Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels

Goodreads Description:

Meet the Blackthorn Brothers—three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love. 

Who is the darkly handsome Don John “Black Jack” Blackthorn? With his air of mystery and menace, the whispers about him hint of highwayman or government agent or even dark prince. But no one knows what it is Black Jack does… or how dangerous he can truly be. Now Jack’s mentor has disappeared, and Jack must track him down before it’s too late. His unlikely help: the man’s daughter—the very woman Jack had once wooed and betrayed. 

Lady Tess Fonteneau knows more about the fine art of clandestine activities—and about the mysterious Mr. Blackthorn—than he realizes. As their journey leads them on the adventure of a lifetime, their reunion is fraught with passion, high-stakes danger and the one twist of fate Jack never saw coming…

My Rating:

My Review:

I was happy to read this book and have all my questions answered.  I however thought that a lot of it could have been done differently.  The whole middle was page after page of planning and rehashing emotions and got tedious and annoying at points.  I felt that Jack changed too much in this book from the first two. If he was going to become as happy a person in this book, he should have shown more of that in the other two books so as to not shock and also to make his personality more believable in this book.  I do have to say that after the first part of the book's setting up the the story and the second part being annoyingly repetitive the last was awesome!  I loved how Jack fixes everything for the family and I love how he tricks him mom.  I really enjoyed the interactions between Tess and Jack.  Their history is intense and complicated and their future is equally intense and complicated.  It's a good read and must read if you've read the other two books!  It answers ALL the questions!

On The Way To The Wedding by Julia Quinn

Goodreads Description:

A funny thing happened... 

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except... 

She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except... 

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...

My Rating:

My Review:

The way this was written, I was prepared for a 'bad' unexpected ending.  However I loved the twist that made this a Happily Ever After Ending!  Gregory's up front acceptance that love matches exist and his search for just that is something different then the usual hero's views and opinions on love an marriage.  I love how everyone seemed to be in love with the wrong person except of course the heroine, Lucy.  Lucy always says sorry and smooths things over for everyone else even at her own expense.  She isn't however one of those annoying simpering ladies that let people walk all over her.  She seems to have spirit and speaks her mind when she's nothing thing to curb her tongue.  Lucy's best friend Hermione is a beauty and every man 'falls in love' with her and Gregory is no exception.  When Hermione becomes engaged unexpectedly and scandalously to Lucy's brother, Gregory realizes he wasn't in love with her.  Lucy and Gregory's romance is subtle and sweet, nothing hot or heavy in this book!   Lucy's dedication to her family name is almost the end to their romance but Gregory being a Bridgerton, doesn't give up and fixes her 'problem'.    I loved the epilogue and it made me chuckle.  I'm sad to see the series end and of course want more, maybe a spin off of some sorts?!  One can home!  Good read either way and if you've read the others in the series, you can't stop with out reading this last installment!

A Midsummer Night's Sin by Kasey Michaels

Goodreads Description:

Meet the Blackthorn Brothers—three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love.

Handsome as the devil and twice as tempting, Robin "Puck" Blackthorn lives for the pleasures of the moment. His only rule—never dally with an innocent woman. But when an encounter at a masquerade ball leaves him coveting the one woman who refuses to succumb to his charms, Puck realizes that some rules were made to be broken….

Scandalized to discover that the masked man with whom she'd shared a dance—and a forbidden embrace—is in fact the ton's most celebrated rake, Regina Hackett vows to keep her distance. Yet when her cousin vanishes, it is to Puck that Regina must turn. And as they embark on a dangerous journey through London's darkest alleys, Regina will discover that beneath Puck's roguish facade lies a man who will stop at nothing to protect her—or to convince her to take a chance on an unrepentant sinner.

My Rating:

My Review:

It had been a while since I read the first in this series but within a few chapters I was able to recall all in info I could from the first book and was excited with how this book was starting out.  Puck lived it up in France and when he returned to London all he wanted was some fun.  He blacked mailed Spies for the crown to get introductions and invitations to balls, the first being a masquerade.  Well if he was looking for something to living up his days he found it at that ball!  Regina was begged by her cousin to attend a masquerade and against her better judgement she agreed.  After an intriguing experience with a masked rogue, Regina lives to regret her agreement.  Her cousin is kidnapped and her rogue is the only one who can help her.  Puck just couldn't say no to Regina and agreed to help her find her cousin.  The mystery and romance that ensues is wonderful.  The mystery takes a few unexpected turns and the romance is forbidden and so of course fun to read about! I loved seeing Black Jack and getting some hints about him and I can not wait to read his story!  I also got hooked by the few teasing hints about their father and a meeting he wants to have with the boys.  I can only speculate as to what will happen with that!  I will definitely be grabbing up the next in the series asap!