The Sport of Matchmaking

 The Sport of Matchmaking
by Jennie Goutet

"Bart, what if he does not come?" He shrugged, his hand on the door. "What am I, your fairy godmother? Just be ready on time, and we will worry about the rest when we get there."

This was such a fun read. Alice and George have both bet made bets on who  they think will and will not get married that season. Alice does everything in her power to make sure that it happens while at the start George is trying everything he can to make sure it doesn't happen.

Alice is forever telling her friends and to her mother's disappointment that she is never going to be married. She doesn't want to feel trapped and as if she is not able to be herself. So she is not going to tie herself to anyone. All of society is well aware of this as well. 

George and Alice are the perfect pair to have as friends. They will go to good lengths to make sure that their friends find happiness. Along the way they are able to find their own happiness as well. 

I have loved the books of Jennie's that I have been able to read. I haven't had a chance to read the other two in this series and are looking forward to going back and reading them. 

I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author.

Yours Truly, Thomas

 Yours Truly, Thomas

Rachel Fordham

Thank you to Rachel Fordham. She sent me this book on cd last year when I was struggling with reading thanks to my eyes struggling with being able to see. I had tried listening to this when I was on a long road trip. But the narrators voice was so calming it was making me sleepy so I had to stop listening to it so that I made it there safely. 

I finally had the chance to be able to listen to it again. I did get it on audible to be able to listen to it safer in all my driving back and forth for doctors appointments.

Penny has started working as she and her mother fell on hard times after her father passed away and no one in their family is willing to help them out. She works in the dead letter office in Washington D.C. She comes across some of the letters that Thomas had written to someone else and she was so touched by his writing and the emotion in his letters that she wanted to try and find either who he was writing to or find Thomas. When her uncle shows up and tells her that she has a suitor and will move to Pennsylvania with him and her mother she decides that she was going to find Thomas.

Thomas who was haunted by events that had happened in his life decided to move out west to escape the memories and those that were angry with him. He didn't end up making it as far west as he was planning due to a wagon accident. 

Asher Springs is the town where everyone knows everyone and they make the visitors feel like they are at home. They care about each others well being and help those who are suffering to find the peace that they are seeking in their lives. They give them a place to feel like they belong. 

Asher Springs is a place for both Thomas and Penny to heal from their pasts. To find each other and to share their secrets to truly help them to recover and find that love that they have been searching for. To also find the forgiveness they are looking for. 

I really loved this story and loved the emotion that Teri Clark Linden put into the narration of the story. It really left me wanting to find out what had happened and how the story was going to end. 

Engaging Emma

 Engaging Emma
by Elle M. Adams

Release Date: May 2, 2022

"That should be okay. You can fill her in later." She looked up at him, and darn it all, her heart started thumping in her chest. Tucker made her nervous, and she didn't like it. Not one bit. "The sooner we're done, the sooner you can get out of here," she said. 

Tucker and Emma have known each other since they were little kids. But Tucker hadn't been back to visit his grandma since his dad passed away. He spent a summer there before going off to college to help his grandma out. While there he become reacquainted with Emma.

They spent tons of time together that summer but have a falling out afterwards. Now years later Tucker has returned again to help his grandma out with selling the family farm. Tucker and Emma run into each other and there is much tension between them. 

Emma having been hurt by Tucker and is not to thrilled to see him again. He seems to be trying to get in our way of her dreams yet again. 

With plotting grandmas and always being thrown together what could possibly happen?

Sometimes life gives you a little detour before you can receive your happily ever after. There is much growing up that is needed. Sometimes old loves work out or it maybe that it wasn't meant to work out. 

I loved this story of Emma and Tucker. It was fun to read something outside of the Regency Romances that I usually read. (I will never stray to far.) But it's nice to mix it up sometimes. 

I was able to read a copy for free of this story on Netgalley.

The Bachelor and the Bride

 The Bachelor and the Bride
By Sarah M. Eden
Release date: September 6, 2022

September can't come soon enough! I was able to read this story on Netgalley early! Sarah M. Eden has been my favorite author for a long time. She is who has introduced me to Regency Romance and Proper Romance books. The Bachelor and the Bride is by far my favorite of the Penny Dreadful series. 

We learn so many new things and start to figure out who people are that we have wondered the whole time. It is so hard to put into words how incredible this book is and how wonderful this story is without giving things away. 

I love how Barnabus and Gemma really come to rely on each other. Gemma has always loved Barnabus but he now comes to realize that he has loved Gemma all a long. He is willing to do anything for Gemma. 

This book is a great reminder that despite your past, you don't have to let it be a control of your life now. You are the author of your own life. 

If you haven't read any of Sarah M. Eden's books they are a must. This book is number four in the Dread Penny series. 

The Imagined Attachment

 The Imagined Attachment

by Holli Jo Monroe

Release date: April 28, 2022

"I think we can all agree that you both married women too sensible to want to be in competition," the dowager said. "My thoughts exactly," Freddie agreed.

Elaine and her mother had been invited to a house party for the Ashburn's to help even out the numbers. Elaine is thrilled that she will get to spend time with Daniel and be able to see him. 

Elaine has loved Daniel Ashburn since they were kids. Everyone knew of her feelings. But when she sees him courting another lady her heart is shattered. Until she starts to realize that she has feelings for another Ashburn. Daniel's brother Sir Phillip. 

It is crazy how life doesn't always turn out the way that you think that it will. But it always seems to be better then what you thought and dreamed about. Elaine and Sir Phillip are able to find their happy ever after and find the love that they weren't expecting.

I was so excited to be able to receive a free ARC copy of this story by Holli Jo Monroe. This is the first book that I have read by her and am excited to be able to read more from her. 

Surviving Savannah

 Surviving Savannah

by Patti Callahan

Content alert: Spousal sexual abuse, grief & car accident

From the back of the book:

It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.

When Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski, she's shocked. The ship sank after a boiler explosion in 1838, and the wreckage was just discovered, 180 years later. Everly can't resist the opportunity to try to solve some of the mysteries and myths surrounding the devastating night of its sinking.

Everly's research leads her to the astounding history of a family of eleven who boarded the Pulaski together, and the extraordinary stories of two women from this family: a known survivor, Augusta Longstreet, and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, who was never found, along with her child. These aristocratic women were part of Savannah's society, but when the ship exploded, each was faced with difficult and heartbreaking decisions. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.

 

This was such a fun story to listen to. I listened to this one on audible. They had more then one narrator for each of the people we were listening to the story from their perspective. This was a part of history that I don't really remember hearing. It was fun to be able to hear this part of history. This book is set in Savannah which I think this was so much fun to listen to as some of the places that they mentioned I have been and seen so I could picture it so easily.

Games in a Ballroom

 Games in a Ballroom

by Jentry Flint

Release date: May 3, 2022

"It is as you said," Emerson began. "Fighting will solve nothing. Valencourt has shown us his hand-more than his hand. He is hiding something darker than we know. I saw it in his eyes after I baited him about the rumor. He is desperate enough to disregard all honor in order to protect it. And now I know what I must do."

Olivia is being forced to be someone she truly doesn't want to be. Her father is trying to raise his status in the community by her marrying well and won't just settle for anyone. Olivia is afraid of her father and is much more comfortable when he is not around. She would like to be free to make choices for herself. 

Olivia's father is title hungry. As they are not titled themselves but come into money from trade. He does everything in his power to match her with someone of title. He has no respect for her happiness at all. Olivia and her mother both live in fear of the wrath of her father. 

Emerson is just coming back into society after his father's death. He has been trying to court Olivia but hasn't been doing a very great job of it. So he has come up with a game for them to play at dances so that hopefully she may come to see his feelings. 

so many different games are being played in this book and it just leaves you wanting to find out what is going to happen next. 

This is author Jentry Flint's Debut novel. I am so excited to see what other great books that we maybe seeing from her. 

Sir Andrew and The Authoress

 Sir Andrew and The Authoress
by Sally Britton

Release date: April 9, 2022

"I have been in grander homes and palaces."...."But I find the dearest places to me have less to do with their size and a great deal more to do with the people who make them into a home. Bytham Castle-" She gestured to the structure peeking through the trees. "-has always been among my favorite places."

Classic enemy to love story. Josie and Sir Andrew get into little roes all the time. It is as if they find great joy in trying to out do each other and be the one to win.  They get into them so often the rest of the family is getting tired of them. 

Even though they argue all the time I love that Sir Andrew would do anything for Josie. He would do anything to make sure that she is safe and that nothing happens to her. 

Through all their banter they start to see each other in a different light. It came upon them slowly. But soon realize that it has been happening for sometime and they just didn't want to admit it.

Such a delightful read. Highly recommend this book!! Well done Sally Britton!

Double or Nothing

 Double or Nothing
by Cindy Steele

"There was a couple walking a few yards ahead of me, though I didn't pay much attention. The guy stopped to look at a deal at the end of the aisle while his girlfriend kept moving forward-until a hundred-and-thirty pound blonde left tackle came firing out of nowhere and took the other girl down. It took me a minute to realize what had happened. Then, I saw the white pants and blue shirt."

This book was so much fun. It had me laughing out loud so many times. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. So many mishaps and funny moments. Thankfully we have been having rainy and stormy weather the last two days so I could totally just sit in my cozy corner on the couch and read. 

This is the first book that I have read by Cindy and I am so excited to be able to read more of her stories.  Older brother to Tessa's best friend. Little sister to his sister. Like family. Totally off limits. It all starts with a bet by their friend. What can go wrong?

The Widower and the Highlander

 The Widower and the Highlander
by Martha Keyes

He smiled. "Nay, lass. I may appear to be a lone wolf, like ye said, but that doesna mean no one will come if I howl. It will just take a bit of time ta find them-they scattered far and wide after my father's death."

I loved this sweet and tender story from Martha Keyes. I read this one in a day and a half. This story was so much fun and it really had a way of pulling you in and you wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. It does leave you on a bit of a cliff hanger. But the next book is out so you are able to continue the story. 

It is a great reminder that just because something may have been one way with one person doesn't mean that it will be the same way with another. I know it's hard to open your heart and trust someone when you have been hurt by another in the past. It takes time and patience. But if the person truly cares then they don't mind waiting. 

The Bridge to Belle Island

 The Bridge to Belle Island

by Julie Klassen

"A warm flush spread over him, as though he'd sipped orange wine. He felt light-headed, even a little dizzy, but this time vertigo had nothing to do with it."

Julie Klassen has long been one of my favorite authors. Her stories are so delightful and heart warming. The Bridge to Belle Island did not disappoint. 

The Bridge to Belle Island is a mystery. I am not a very be fan of super scary mysteries. They tend to give me nightmares. But this one is written very well and it not super scary. 

As you read the story you start to get bits and pieces of the events that happened came to light. She does a really great job of making you think it was one person but totally takes you by surprise as to who did it. 

The love stories that take place in this book is so sweet. This book is also a great reminder to treasure your family and that even though you may not have a great relationship with your family that they are always there for you.