A Season in London (Timeless Regency Romance)

This is a great collection of clean Regency romances.

Poor Relations by Elizabeth Johns
Emma Standrich is having a season in London before becoming a governess, as her family is impoverished and needs her income, especially since the death of her brother, who was a soldier. However, when Colonel Colin Shelton, her brother's superior officer, dances with her a ball, her prospects change. While Emma's main goal for her season was to try to find out what really happened with her brother's death, she soon finds herself with an offer of marriage. This was the weakest novella of the three; I just felt like it wasn't as smooth or developed as the other two. While I liked the mystery aspect as Emma tried to figure out the truth behind her brother's death and who she could trust, the romance was good have been developed better; I felt like it didn't really show developing feelings very well and wish there had been more to show how they came to care for each other.

Edward & Emily by Heather B. Moore
Edward is recently returned home, as his brother has died and he is now the heir to the family estate. His neighbor Emily, whom he knew but pretty much ignored in favor of his books as a child, has recently experienced the death of her father. While Edward returned home reluctantly, and he participates in the social events his mother has planned even more reluctantly, when he becomes reacquainted with Emily, he finds that perhaps London has more to offer than he expected.
This was a delightful story. I liked the letters that Emily and Edward exchanged and the humor in them, as well as the growing friendship, trust, and affection they showed.

A Sporting Season by Rebecca Connelly
Daphne Hutchins absolutely does not want a season in London. Forced by her parents anyway, she is determined to do all that she can--short of completely ruining herself--to make sure she receives no offers. So she wears dresses completely out of style, refuses to dance, and makes impolite conversation, which should ensure an unsuccessful season. But instead, Jamie Woodbridge is completely entranced by her and courts her (without her consent but to her parents' complete delight), even though Daphne tries to push him away. As determined as she is to achieve her goal, Daphne can't help but be drawn to him.
This was my favorite of the three novellas. There were laugh-out-loud moments, great banter between Daphne and Jamie, and totally sweet moments as well. Daphne was spunky and determined and well-developed, and Jamie was dreamy. I really, really liked this story.

I received a free copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars. Clean Read.

A Moonbow Night

A Moonbow Night
Laura Frantz

Temperance (Tempe) Tucker and her family built and run an inn on the Shawnee River. Tempe does what she can to help her mother, brother, and father (who frequently goes into hiding since he's wanted in Virginia for a crime), but she can't help but long for death, to join her beloved fiancé James, who was killed in an Indian attack a few years before. Sion Morgan is a surveyor, charged with charting out Kentucke, but with Indians on the warpath (encouraged by the British), he has to change course. Determined to still do some surveying, he needs a guide. Tempe has no desire to be his guide, but, forced to do so by her family, she guides Sion and his group, and as she does so, she and Sion--who has known tragedy of his own--come to find hope and peace in one another.

I haven't read many books from this time period, so it was a little bit hard for me to get into the book at first--I wasn't used to the language, wasn't familiar with the geography, and didn't really know anything about surveying or early settlers in the Kentucke region. Some genres, settings, and time periods, I can just slip comfortably into, but that wasn't the case here. But that's okay! If you're not familiar with it either, and are tempted to give up reading it, don't! It's totally worth sticking it out. It was a really interesting time to learn more about. It's very richly detailed and really helps the reader envision what the time was like, showing day-to-day life and the very real dangers and struggles, alongside the hopes and dreams, of the characters. Tempe is smart, resourceful, and so competent, all things I really liked about her, and Sion, the strong, silent, determined type, which made me love him. Really fascinating book.

I read a copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4 stars. Clean read.

An Ocean Away

An Ocean Away
Heather B. Moore 

Gina Graydon loves romance novels, and she can't help but wish for a romantic hero to sweep her off her feet. But as the daughter of a wealthy and ruthless businessman, anyone who might possibly have wanted to court her has been scared off by her father. While vacationing in France, though, she meets Edmund Donaldson, who has all the makings of a romantic hero...and who, unfortunately, is being sued by her father and is the last man her father would allow near her.

Gina just made me laugh, with sneaking out of her hotel via her balcony and the things that she would blurt out. This was a fun read, although I wish it were longer so we could see more of the developing feelings between the characters!
4 stars. Clean read.

I received a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own

Rescue Me

Rescue Me
Susan May Warren

Deputy Sam Brooks, a member of the PEAK rescue squad, can't forgive himself for not saving his father from freezing to death--or his brother Pete for his role in their father's death. He's determined not to lose anyone else. He's dependable, solid--not at all like Pete. Sam's just the right sort of guy for Sierra Rose, who is just as responsible as he is. Willow Rose, Sierra's free-spirited, tenderhearted younger sister, knows that Sam and Sierra are perfect for each other, so she's determined not to let her feelings for Sam show or grow. But when Sam and Willow, along with the new youth pastor and a few members of the youth group, are in an accident that leaves them wounded and lost in stormy weather, Sam has to reevaluate who he can depend on and who he really needs in his life.

There's a lot action and adventure in this story. The search and rescue work is really interesting. Willow is totally sweet and good-hearted, the sort of character I just can't help pulling for. Sam is broken and hurting, in ways he doesn't even realize, and I liked seeing his journey toward healing. There is an almost dizzying number of characters, and early on in the book it was a little hard to keep track of who was who and what all the back story was (probably especially because I haven't read the first book in the series), and that slowed the book down for me initially, but things picked up before too long. One thing that bothered me is that we see quite a bit of Pete and Jess, the girl he's falling for, but there isn't any resolution for them in the book--and since the next book in the series doesn't have them as the main characters, I'm a little worried if we're really going to see that resolution in a future book or not!

I read a copy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

P.S. I Like You

P.S. I Like You
By Kasie West


Lily dreads chemistry--until she ends up exchanging notes with someone who totally seems to get her. They have the same taste in music and they can both banter back and forth and open up their hearts to each other. Lily both wants to know who he is--maybe he's even her crush, Lucas--and doesn't want to know, in case it ruins everything.
This book was just delightful. I felt like Lily was well-developed and realistic, and I enjoyed her quirkiness and sense of humor. I liked the other characters, too, and the letters back and forth were so fun to read--sweet and funny and special. I've really enjoyed all of Kasie West's books and can't wait for more.
4.5 stars.

Miles McHale, Tattletale

Miles McHale, Tattletale
By Christianne C. Jones and Elina Ellis

Miles McHale is excellent at tattling--he does it ALL the time. When his teacher decides to have a contest to see which team can tattle the least, Miles is NOT an asset to his team. He has a difficult time figuring out when it's okay to tattle and when it's not. But as he keeps practicing, then it starts to click.

This is an adorable way to address a problem that lots of kids have. The illustrations are super cute; I love them. The text is fun, and it's realistic to see how Miles struggles to understand when it's tattling and when it's helpful. The little rhymes to help know when to tell and when not to tattle are helpful. This is a book I'm sure I'll read over and over with my kids!

I read a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars.

Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs
By Nadine Brun-Cosme and Aurelie Guillerey
Matthew's dad's green car has a little trouble starting in the morning, so Mathew is worried about how he'll get home from school. His dad quickly reassures him that he'll use whatever means available--the neighbor's red tractor, two bunnies to hop under his feet, a green dragon, etc.--to pick him up from school. And if all else fails, he provides an answer that lets Matthew know Daddy won't leave him at school.

I loved the message of this book, how his dad will find a way to take care of him. It's sweet and reassuring and will make kids laugh while at the same time, provide the reassurance they need that they won't be left behind. The illustrations aren't my personal favorite (I prefer a more realistic style), but I think kids will enjoy them as well.
4 stars.
I read a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Squiggly Story

A Squiggly Story
By Andrew Larsen and Mike Lowery

A little boy sees his sister writing stories and wants to be able to do the same--but he doesn't know how to write words yet. His sister encourages him to start with a single letter, so he does, and from there, he finds that he CAN write a story, just using what he does know.

I loved this book; it totally reminded me of my three-year-old twins, who like to "write" even though don't really know how; but they will scribble down a bunch of letters, lines, squiggles, etc. and then proceed to tell me all about what it says. So, this book really struck home with me; it was realistic and also sweet to see how the sister encouraged her little brother and how he was able to find his voice, so to speak.
5 stars.
I read a copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.