A hot, entertaining romance.
A fiery bluestocking and an emotionally detached duke clash in a historical romance.
Lady Beatrice’s cousin, Margaret, is engaged to Lord Christopher, known as Kit. Beatrice is not thrilled because this means she will now be related by marriage to Kit’s odious brother, William Easton, the Duke of Blackheath. It’s not just Blackheath; fiery women’s rights advocate Beatrice has come to loathe all dukes, finding them generally pompous and arrogant. By contrast, Blackheath admires Beatrice’s passion for her various causes but does not wish to form romantic attachments with anyone. They have several tense encounters, including one night at a production of Much Ado About Nothing, which ensures that neither can get the other out of their head. They become friends but remain determined not to marry until Beatrice’s uncle and guardian announces he has lost his fortune—and the money her parents left her—to some bad investments. This means Beatrice’s only option is to do something that goes against her principles—sacrifice her independence and marry for stability. When she tells this to Will, he spontaneously proposes but insists they be friends and allies, not lovers. Beatrice reluctantly agrees. But will their marriage turn out to be a love match after all? Will’s determination to remain a bachelor is a little puzzling, given that dukes mostly exist to make more dukes. He has two brothers to pass the title to, but he doesn’t really have a reason for not wanting to marry besides that he thinks being emotionally detached is a better way to live. There’s a sense that being a duke is bad—neither of Will’s brothers wants the title—but it’s hard to have much sympathy for the plight of a wealthy, powerful man. A more compelling reason for avoiding wedlock would have made Will a more fully realized character. Will and Beatrice clash, mostly arguing about politics, but it’s clear almost from the first page that they are made for each other, with similar political opinions and having read many of the same books. He doesn’t act pompously, despite Beatrice’s first impression, but is instead considerate of everyone around him, if sometimes blind to his own privilege. The plot is predictable, but the chemistry and sexual tension between Beatrice and Will are off the charts, and watching them spar is fun.
A hot, entertaining romance.Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-64937-140-9
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Review Posted Online: July 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.
A blossoming romance infringes on a successful businesswoman's professional aspirations, making her reevaluate her priorities.
At an exclusive party, talent manager Hendrix Barry has an instant connection with billionaire tech mogul Maverick Bell. When he learns that she’s navigating her mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, he relates to what she’s going through, having had similar experiences with his grandfather. Maverick makes Hendrix feel seen and understood like no one else, but he’s the recent ex-boyfriend of a woman Hendrix is going into business with as she works toward her goal of executive producing a television show. She tries to set boundaries that would keep him as a friend despite their obvious mutual attraction, but when he expresses interest in her venture capital fund focusing on Black women–led businesses, it leads to spending more time together, and the lines of friendship, business, and pleasure become tangled and blurred. Ryan excels at crafting thoughtful, mature characters who have to manage complicated situations with care and grace. Maverick’s dogged pursuit of Hendrix and the delicious ways he woos her using his wealth and persistence frame him as a determined, headstrong hero. Paired with a weaker heroine, he could have been overbearing, but Hendrix is his perfect match, equally as strong-willed and tenacious. They bring out each other’s softer, more vulnerable sides as well, and both have compassionate hearts. The spicy romance is the core of this satisfying story, but the novel doesn’t shy away from—and is made richer for the inclusion of—hardships like caring for an aging parent and confronting racism in the world of business. The tale also highlights the importance of community and the value of supportive, platonic love through the wonderful cast of side characters.
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781538706855
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781538704431
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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