Allen continues to claim new territory in the world of paranormal Regency.
A lion Shifter is tamed by a lady apothecary.
Georgie, Prince of Wales, is meddling in the lives of his Shifter subjects again. A bear Shifter himself, he’s taken a personal interest in the life of Alwyn ap Lewin, Duke of Llewellyn, a Welsh lion Shifter who was trapped in his animal shape for so long that he’s forgotten how to use a fork or wear pants. That’s why Alwyn is being sent to Lowell Hall, which fans of the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series will recognize well—it’s home to an unusually diverse pack of Shifters and an accepting community of Shifters and humans alike. Here, he’s put into the care of one Miss Tabitha Barrington, commissioned by the prince to care for him. She and her brother have been traveling Europe for years, during which time she’s become an accomplished apothecary even though society will never recognize her as such. Alwyn thinks he’s beyond help, but Tabitha quickly finds subtle ways to support his reintegration that lead them to spending more time together. When their friendship develops into something more, Alwyn realizes that Tabitha is not just his vera amoris; she is his coniunctio, theirs a once-in-a-generation mating capable of producing great things for the Shifter community. Though their relationship is as straightforward as one between a Shifter and a human can be, dangers from the outside world threaten to interfere with their newfound love. The third story in this series is as entertaining and charming as the first two, with the highlights of paranormal and Regency romances well enmeshed. Though the suspense elements of the plot are not as compelling as the rest of the story, they can’t detract from the simple pleasure of a Lion Shifter wooing a classic Regency bluestocking. This volume also offers a rare glimpse into gay life during the Regency, including a historically accurate depiction of Parlyaree, a unique English dialect shared by many underclasses of British society. Allen includes enough context clues for a reader to start with this third volume, but those who have read the first two books in the series will be most pleased by this return to Lowell Hall and its unusual community.
Allen continues to claim new territory in the world of paranormal Regency.Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72823-079-5
Page Count: 408
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming love story that absolutely radiates warmth.
A single mom winds up fake dating an incredibly wealthy man in her hometown.
Dolly Brick is back in her hometown of Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to help her dad and disabled brother manage their house and family business. As a 39-year-old single mother with multiple jobs—which now include working at the Brick Fish House—Dolly is always busy. When her mom left their family years ago, Dolly took over caring for her siblings and father and never really stopped. When she runs into Stewart Whitfield after making a shrimp delivery to his family’s mansion, she doesn’t think they could be more different. She’s had to figure out how to do everything by herself, and he can’t even change a tire. That’s why Stewart’s proposal that she pretend to be his girlfriend feels so unbelievable—but it comes with a hefty check that she desperately needs for home repairs. So she becomes the fake girlfriend of Stewart Whitfield (as in, the Whitfields her town is named after; his real fiancée just dumped him and it’s a bad time for him to be single) and experiences what it’s like to walk into fancy buildings through the front door instead of the service entrance. More than the boats and helicopter and expensive dinners, though, Dolly is impressed by what a kind man Stewart is—and how it feels to let someone else take care of her for a change. Soon, their relationship starts to feel more real than fake. Monaghan creates an impossibly winning story with a charming, lovable heroine. Dolly is capable, hardworking, and will do anything for the people she loves. She and Stewart both possess real flaws, and while their relationship begins with one of the most beloved rom-com tropes, their challenges feel like realistic adult obstacles rather than easily solved miscommunications. It’s also refreshing that, even though Dolly must learn to allow other people to help her, she never views her caretaking responsibilities as burdens. She deeply loves her family, and that love carries through the entire story.
A charming love story that absolutely radiates warmth.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9780593853979
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
SEEN & HEARD
PERSPECTIVES
A deliciously dramatic look at how one woman’s past influences her future.
A happily engaged woman is pulled back to her hometown—and her first love—when tragedy strikes.
Billie Wright is living her dream, running a thriving fertility clinic in New York City and engaged to a wonderful trauma surgeon named Dean. Her happily-ever-after meant giving up her life in Wisconsin, where she left behind many friends as well as her high school sweetheart, Mick. Although they’d been deeply in love, when Billie’s ambition pulled her away from home and toward the city, Mick couldn’t handle either the distance or her busy schedule. Billie has finally moved on from that heartbreak—but then she receives a phone call from Mick, the first communication between them in years. Her best friend, Erin, died in a car accident, leaving behind an 11-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Now Billie must return home to help sort Erin’s affairs and provide some kind of comfort to Phoebe while grieving the loss of her best friend. Of course, being back home also means being in close contact with Mick. Their feelings for each other may not have ever gone away, and their proximity leads to big decisions for Billie. Can she ever reconcile her current life in Manhattan with her past in Wisconsin? And which one will be her future? Giffin knows how to do drama, and she ratchets up the stakes with every page as she continues to reveal new obstacles for Billie. The ending wraps up quite neatly, but the nostalgia-filled ride is full of twists and turns that will keep readers flipping the pages.
A deliciously dramatic look at how one woman’s past influences her future.Pub Date: July 7, 2026
ISBN: 9780593600320
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Ballantine
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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