Simplicity

 Simplicity
By Dana LeCheminant

"I leaned back a little to get a more distant look, noticing for the first time that rain pounded on the roof of the stables where I'd hidden myself to avoid my mother's constant criticisms of how I was "coming up short." She'd been especially bad today and seemed convinced I would either end up alone or a lesbian if I didn't snag myself a husband soon."

Thankfully I have not ever had to experience the criticism from either of my parents. But I could just imagine as I read this story how hurtful and awful it would feel to constantly feel like you were falling short, that you weren't good enough or even if your parents loved you. 

I first read the Term's of Inheritance from Dana and am just starting to read The Simple Love Story series. We hear a little bit more of Luke in that series. But it was great being able to read a little bit more about him as I read this book. Luke really helps Lana to see how important she is and helps her to be able to find herself. He also helps her to start to cope with the fears that she has had since the lose of her brother. 

Love, Strictly Speaking

 Love, Strictly Speaking
by Dana Lecheminant

This one is my favorite out of the books in the Term of Inheritance series. I feel like Wes has had to make the most changes in his life and really had to come out of his comfort zone and grow. Sammy has been so influential in helping him to come out of his shell and feel like he really has something to say and that what he has to say is important. 

I really enjoyed how it really is an opposites attract story as well. Sammy is loud, outgoing and speaks her mind. You never are really left wondering what she is thinking. As to Wes who is so quiet, doesn't like being the center of attention and really struggles sharing what he is thinking. Sammy truly helps him but he also comes to meet others that he doesn't have a hard time talking to and sharing what he is thinking. 

I have loved getting to know all the siblings in each of the books. They each are so different but they work together as a family and they have a really strong bond. Those that they marry are really awesome for each personality and they just seem to fit right in with the family.

A Secret Brother's Vow

 A Secret Brother's Vow

By Kate Condie

"He wanted to kiss her, but she'd already had so much taken from her on the wings of an empty promise. He wouldn't take anything until he'd proven his complete commitment-until they were married in the sight of God."

I loved this story. It is nice to have those stories that are not all cookie cutter. They show a different side then what we might be use to reading or out of the norm of what is done. 

This story helps remind us that our mistakes don't define us. That yes we may have made choices that were not the wisest but that we don't have to constantly suffer from them. We can still have happiness in our lives. We can still find the family that we are searching for. Don't let our choices hold us back from the greatest blessings that we have waiting for us. We can find the redemption that we are seeking for in our life. 

The Thief and the Noble

 The Thief and the Noble

by Dana LeCheminant

As the daughter of a marquess, Lady Marian Russell is poised to impress in her first London Season. She is young, beautiful, and wealthy—but catching an eligible husband is the last thing on her mind. Marian is disillusioned with how the upper class lives while the poor of London suffer, and she is determined to right this imbalance. When she comes face-to-face with a mysterious man who steals from arrogant aristocrats and redistributes the spoils to the poor, Marian recognizes a motivation that mirrors her own. She is determined to discover the true identity of the unscrupulous hero and offer her assistance.

When she unmasks the bandit Robin, he begrudgingly agrees to train the lovely Marian in the art of thievery in exchange for her silence, quickly realizing that his heart may be stolen next. But when they discover a copycat thief operating in London, they are faced with a foe whose purpose is far from noble. Amid distracting suitors, becoming a champion of the poor, and a growing attraction Marian can’t ignore, can she and Robin expose the renegade pilferer without risking themselves—and each other?

By far this is my favorite book of Dana's. This one had me laughing by all the silly antics and mishaps that were happening. 

Who doesn't love a good retelling of Robin Hood? This was such a fun retelling and I loved it. I listened to this one on audible and it was so hard not to keep listening to it. When I had to turn it off I couldn't wait to turn it back on and listen to it. 

I have read others by Dana and truly hope that we see some more regency from her. 

The Nabob's Daughter

 The Nabob's Daughter
By Jess Heileman

"I must admit I have thought often of this moment on my long voyage. I do pray your son is worth the journey, though even if he is not, his title and this house are sufficient reasons to enter into matrimony." -Honora

I know that I am behind on everyone having read this book. But I finally had a chance to read it. I loved that it had India tied into the story as well. Highly recommend reading this story. Graham and Honora are incredible and I loved reading their story.

When I was young we met a family from India that have become wonderful lifetime friends. I loved having the yummy foods that our friend would make and have developed a great love for Indian Cuisine. 

I know that when I feel like I am being forced to do something that I don't want to do or to make big changes in my life that I to try to do everything I can to keep things the way they were or to stay where I was because it was my comfort zone. But getting out of that comfort zone is when I see the greatest blessings in my life. 

Both Honora and Graham feel trapped and persuaded to do something that neither of them want. But as they work together to help each other to have what they think they desire it becomes something much more and their wants change.

Pretending at Love

 Pretending at Love
by Karen Thornell

"Have I told  you lately that I hate you?"....."Several times in the last twenty minutes, thank you."

I really enjoy those friend to lover stories and this one does not disappoint. How about friends having a fake relationship to help one or the other out? 

I love it when I find a book that is hard to put down and I just want to keep reading it. This was one of those books for me. I spent all day reading it and loved every minute of it. I was just wanting to find out what was going to happen next, see what other mishaps they may get into and also find out how the book was going to finish. 

I could feel that same fear as April with horses. I grew up riding horse, but when I was still young I remember watching my grandpa, who would jump horses all the time, go to go over a jump on his horse and his horse stopped and threw him off into one of the jumps. I was terrified to ride without being led ever after that. In college my roommate invited me to go on a trail ride with her and some friends. After we were done she mentioned that she didn't realize I was so afraid. I hadn't realize how bad it was still either. 

I feel like when you have something in common with one of the characters it helps you to connect with them a little more then you might have otherwise. 

Finding Lady Enderly

 Finding Lady Enderly
by Joanna Davidson Politano

I have really come to enjoy listening to the books by Joanna. They have such a fun story, they are intriguing and they leave me wanting to find out what happened and to want to just continue listening to the story all the time. 

The book Finding Lady Enderly kind of reminded me of a Cinderella story. This story had so many twists and turns. I would think that I had it figured out as to what was going to happen and then plot twist and it would take a completely different turn of events. 

It is a good reminder that good will win in the end. That you can break free from those things that have a hold on you and you can find the light in the darkness.