The Billionaire's Last Chance - Leslie North

The Billionaire's Last Chance by Leslie North
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Beaumont Brother's series and I have read all three. They work fine as stand-alone stories and there is no need to have read the first two before diving into this one. That said, I enjoyed the first couple of books and so was looking forward to reading the final one.
I really liked Connall and in many ways enjoyed his story more than those for his brothers.
Unlike the two previous books, Connall doesn't have a pretend partner and then fiance. He falls for Bernadette quickly and properly, but he still needs to be married in order to meet the terms of this grandfather's will. Unfortunately, Bernadette doesn't know that this is what he needs to do and when she finds out, she feels used.
I liked both the growth of their relationship and how they dealt with the problems that they faced. Like the previous stories, this was a very quick read and in an ideal world, I would have liked a little bit more. Both in terms of Connall and Bernadette's story and more of the characters from the previous stories. That said, it didn't really detract from this one and it was a great, quick read.
I'm a bit sorry that the series is over, but I'm really pleased I got to read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

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Demon's Mercy - Rebecca Zanetti

Demon's Mercy by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this book is number 9 in the series, (in actual fact, it's more than that, as there are some novellas that come earlier in the series too) it didn't really matter that it was the first that I read. With a book like this, there is a lot of world building to do and it's often a challenge to get the balance between writing something that will make sense to new readers and won't be too repetitive for those who have followed the series can be a huge challenge. Fortunately, for me at least, Rebecca Zanetti pulled it off.
Logan is a Vampire - Demon hybrid. He has a destiny to fulfil and needs to become one of the 'seven.' Mercy is a fae (not a fairy, thank you very much) and her people have decided that the seven can't be completed and fully formed as it will pull apart dimensions and destroy everything. She tries her best to stop him, but the chemistry between them cannot be denied and perhaps there is more to all of this than either of them know.
There's a lot going on in this story. The romance is great, but it almost takes a back seat to the progression of the rest of the story. I loved the conflict between Mercy and Logan, as they battle to gain control of each other and their feelings. I'd like to see more of that, but it looks as though there are a lot of other characters to deal with in future books. I'd like to go back and read some of the other stories but I'd also be keen to learn about those who have either not found their mate as yet, or perhaps don't seem to get on with their mate and then there's the next generation with a story to tell.
This was a great read and I'm almost sorry that I started here, as clearly, nine books in, there are a lot of other books to get my teeth into already out there.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

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Love over logic - Diana A. Hicks

Love over Logic

Attorney Emilia Prado has been living in hiding, ever since the local cartel killed her dad and left her and her mom for dead. But when her long lost cousin needs help leaving her drug lord husband, Emilia knows her time for justice has come.

Hot shot lawyer Dom Moretti never met a case he couldn’t win. Each win puts distance between him and an old life he wants to forget. But when Emilia, a crush from law school, asks for his help, the life he worked so hard for hangs in the balance.

Out to even the score, Emilia is ready to enact revenge on her father’s killer. But will she risk losing Dom to a side of himself he thought was dead and buried?

My Review

In many ways this is a classic hero tries to sacrifice himself for the woman he loves, while she has to make it clear to him that they are stronger together type of story. Both Emilia and Dom have a past and while he tries to play the gallant hero for her, she knows that it will only really work if he is with her.

There is a lot of action in this story, with both Dom's past and Emilia's coming together to cause them problems and threaten their happiness. I did get a tiny bit lost once or twice, with what was going on, but it didn't really detract from the overall storyline.

If you're like me, more interested in the romance side of things, then you probably won't be disappointed either. Although Emilia and Dom try to resist one another, it isn't long before it becomes clear that they cannot resist one another.

This was a fast-paced, exciting read with lots of romance. 

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Earl of Hearts - Meara Platt

Earl of Hearts by Meara Platt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do really like Meara Platt's books. I'm particularly a fan of her Dark Garden series, although I do enjoy the Farthingale books too. I want to just mention this and the fact that I usually give her books (and have given this one) quite a high star review. There is something I need to mention though. If you read Regency novels for historical accuracy, then I would suggest that you give this one a wide berth. In all honesty, it's usually something that's key for me, but I enjoy these stories so much that I let most of it slide. They aren't really Regencies. Perhaps fantasy Regency or Western's that claim to be set in England? I'm not sure. I do know that there's lots of modern language, the Lords and Ladies in this book carry on as though they are not Lord's and Ladies (too many Earls, Dukes and the like with 'jobs' or working as spies). Then there are things like hickory smoke being mentioned when the book is set in the UK and the depiction of Scotland in this story was straight out of Disney. I feel a bit harsh saying this and I hope that it's not seen that way. I just think that it might be worth giving a fair warning so you know what to expect.
The romance in this book and the characters themselves are lovely. That, along with the writing style is what does it for me. Having heard all of the daughter's in the Farthingale family's stories, we are now onto people connected to them. I have to admit that I was a bit confused as to where this one fits in, in the timeline. Although, as the main series was written in reverse order, that's hardly surprising. I think that this may come between Lily and Dilly's stories. Lily is mentioned as living with her husband and Dilly's husband-to-be pops up but doesn't seem to be married. I'm not totally sure though.
There's plenty of action in this book, with Nicola and John on the run from her intended after he shows his true colours. Of course, Nicola has always been in love with her older brother's best friend John and he has been in love with her for as long as she's been a woman, rather than the annoying child he knew before. I always enjoy that kind of romantic connection and it worked well here.
There was one little thing that I wasn't keen on. He kept calling her 'Brat' as a pet name. Apart from the fact that I think it's a pretty horrible pet name (far too derogatory for lovers surely?) I do feel a little uncomfortable when a man refers to his lover as a child or childlike, especially when he knew her when she was a child, it's borderline creepy.
I think that I've perhaps been a little harsh here. Please don't let it put you off too much, I did really enjoy the book. I think that there may be a few more to come, perhaps Nicola's other siblings might get there turn as I'm sure it mentioned that there are quite a few of them! I'm looking forward to reading more and finding out who finds love next.

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The Billionaire's False Fiancee - Lesley North

The Billionaire’s False Fiancée by Leslie North
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Beaumont Brothers series and the second one that I've read. This time youngest brother Alistair is on the hunt for someone to play the role of fiancee and then wife for him. The terms of his grandfathers will mean that he and his brothers all need to marry before they can inherit his business. Middle brother Gregor has already found his ideal lady in the first book.

Before Alistair can start the charade he is injured in a skiing accident and loses his memory. His right-hand woman, assistant Jess comes to his aid but decides to solve his other problems by playing the role of his fiancee. The only problem being, that Alistair doesn't know that it is all an act.

I enjoyed this second book even more than the first. It's a quick read and I polished it off in one day. I think that I would have liked to see a bit more of Alistair's Grandmother, we met her in the first book and she was certainly an interesting character. Overall though, it didn't matter that this was a quick read, it was just the kind of thing that I was looking for and I really enjoyed it.

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Dearly Beloved - Peggy Jaeger

Dearly Beloved

Colleen O’Dowd manages a thriving bridal business with her sisters in Heaven, New Hampshire. After fleeing Manhattan and her cheating ex-fiancé, Colleen still believes in happily ever afters. But with a demanding business to run, her sisters to look after, and their 93-year-old grandmother to keep out of trouble, she's worried she’ll never find Mr. Right.

Playboy Slade Harrington doesn’t believe in marriage. His father’s six weddings have taught him life is better as an unencumbered single guy. But Slade loves his little sister. He'll do anything for her, including footing the bill for her dream wedding. He doesn’t plan on losing his heart to a smart-mouthed, gorgeous wedding planner, though.

When her ex-fiancé comes back into the picture, Colleen must choose between Mr. Right and Mr. Right Now.

My Review

I love a good romance book and this is a good romance book. Told from the point of view of Wedding planner Colleen, who hasn't been so lucky in love herself, this is the story of her meeting Mr Right. 

Wedding planning is a serious full-on business, I hadn't realised that there was so much to it. With things like rehearsal dinners and the like, something that I'm glad hadn't made it across the pond when I got married. I think you'd need a wedding planner to sort it all out. Fortunately for her brides, Colleen is super organised and manages to make everything go off without a hitch. If only her own life were so easy.

Slade is the brother of a bride to be and the one footing the bill for her coming wedding. He has no interest in getting married himself, ever. But, he can't help but be drawn to Colleen and perhaps one or both of them will need to change their views.

I liked Slade, (despite his name, couldn't help but think of Noddy Holder, unfortunately) he was all that you want in a romantic lead. Strong yet caring, arrogant but with a cuddly inside. Colleen falls hard and fast for him and who can blame her?

I really enjoyed this book. The other characters, from Slade's sister Isabelle to Colleen's grandmother were brilliant too and really added to the overall feel. I can see that we might have a few more stories in the pipeline with something brewing between Maureen and the policeman perhaps, Colleen's assistant and her photographer and surely there must be someone for Colleen's older sister too? I'm just guessing, but I'm looking forward to reading more of the Match Made in Heaven series when they come out. 

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The Last Wicked Rogue - Lauren Smith

The Last Wicked Rogue

He’s the last Rogue standing, and the wickedest … 

Charles Humphrey, the Earl of Lonsdale is infamous for his seductions. With laughing gray eyes and a halo of blond hair, he’s every woman’s wicked dream. Beneath that devil-may-care grin he has a painful past that has made him sure love was not for him, even as the rest of his friends, the members of the League of Rogues, settle down in wedded bliss. When he accidentally rescues a mysterious beauty with eyes as haunted as his own and shares one life-changing kiss with her, she vanishes in the night. Charles vows to find this angel who might yet save his soul but he knows anyone he cares about is in grave danger when an old enemy resurfaces a final time for revenge… 

She’s the only woman who can save him… 

Lily has secrets, too many secrets. When she’s abducted and taken into the London underworld by a gang of nefarious brutes, she’s rescued by Charles, the one man who can never know her past. She can’t let him discover her feelings or her secrets, but she can’t resist sharing one kiss with him before escaping his passionate embrace. That taste of the last bachelor of the League of Rogues leaves her desiring a future she cannot have - especially when her master demands she prove her loyalty in a most deadly way... 

Warning: This book contains a scandalous rogue with a heart of gold, a lady who risks it all to save him, and a league of rogues who value friendship and love above all else.

The Last Wicked Rogue by Lauren Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've spent the whole day debating how many stars to give this book. It's been hard, not because I didn't enjoy it, I really did, but because I've been waiting for this book for a long time and I think that finally having the 'final' instalment leaves me with mixed feelings.
Charles has long been one of my favourite league members, I had a theory or two about the identity of his lady love, (I'm not going to say more here, but I was right!) This was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So why the hesitation about how many stars to award? Well, two reasons really. Firstly, my favourite league book is His Wicked Seduction. I love Lucien and Horatia's story, part of me wanted Charles to knock it off its perch and while it was good and came very close, it didn't quite manage it. Secondly, although there is the backstory in all of the previous stories, this being the last in the series, this story arc has to reach a conclusion. Of course, I wanted it too, but it did mean that there was a little less time spent on the romance between Charles and his lady. I loved the storyline that dealt with the League and more particularly Charles' past. I'd wanted to know about this since book one. At the same time though, I wanted more of the build-up of romance with Charles and Lily. That would have ended up being a huge book, so is silly to suggest.
I really enjoyed this book, it's just rather bittersweet as it's the last in the main series. I know that there is more to come with other family members and possibly the next generation, but it is the end of the main League members. I might just have to go back to the beginning and read the whole series once again...

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