Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 121
Series: Forever After Retellings #1
Genre: Retelling, Regency, Historical Romance
Published: Jan. 15, 2019
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

A penniless maid determined to save her father, a broken baron bent on isolation, and the undeniable draw between them that will lead to happiness—or disaster. 

Rose Sinclair has run out of options. With her father in prison and their bookshop sold to pay his debts, she has no choice but to turn to Henry Covington, the Baron Norcliffe. But the baron has more than earned his harsh reputation, and Rose must face his wrath in order to save her father—and herself.

Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father’s debt to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position—as a maid in his own house.

They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised—and intrigued—by Rose’s optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry’s true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry’s past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust—and what they will risk for their happily ever after.  

Review:

The beast is not in physical form but in personality. Henry has shut people out of his life since the passing of his parents. Rose goes to Henry asking for a position to pay off the debt her father has with him. He allows her to become a maid.

This is a quick and cute read. I loved it. Wish it was a bit longer but it’s meant for a quick read. While it has romance it also has a tiny bit of drama from Henry’s past. I loved it and will move on to the next book.

A Stolen Heart by Clarissa Kae

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 226
Series: Victorian Retelling #3 Finale
Genre: Historical, Romance, Retelling, Robin Hood
Published: Jan 29, 2022
Rating: 2.5 stars

Synopsis:

Nikolas Whitworth, the Earl of Rochelle, is handsome, charming—and a traitor. He can outwit and outcon any Englishman, or Englishwoman for that matter. When his debts are called in, a savior appears, the criminal mastermind known only as the Tailor. Nikolas is bought and sold, his future no longer his.

Abandoned as a baby because of her heart condition, Rosalyn Devereaux trusts no one. She secretly dresses as a stableboy to inspect the horses and place bets. Without fail, her chosen horse wins.

When the Tailor orders Nikolas to kidnap the mysterious stableboy, he discovers the beguiling Rosalyn. He is captivated and utterly smitten, but Rosalyn refuses to be a pawn in the Tailor’s schemes.

Nikolas has a plan to escape, but can Rosalyn trust her future—and possibly her heart—to a conman?

Review:

Spoilers if not read the previous two books.

Our author sure loves her MCs with disabilities/scars. Rosalyn has a heart condition. Nikolas was shot at the end of the second book. Nikolas also, at the end of the second book revealed that he has been in love before with a woman named Rosalyn. This is a second chance story.

I wasn’t as into this book as I was in the previous two. The MCs weren’t together as much as the others. I wanted to see more romance blossom but it seemed as if the heroine wanted to stay away as much as she could while at the same time being near the hero.

The tailor aspect was lackluster when it should have been more intriguing than in the previous books. I just don’t necessarily know how I feel about this book. When the heroine is given an opportunity to help the crown and instead of looking at it as getting close to someone who can help out the poor she snubs it. Nikolas snubs the rich but he tends to forget that his father was raised in a position making Nikolas part of the rich. Whether he likes it or even sees it, he is part of that society. Instead of making a difference, he gambled his money away.

Another reason I don’t think I liked this one as much is due to me not liking either of the MCs. I can understand Rosalyn and her deals, but I don’t understand Nikolas who in previous books seems to be a rich arrogant person. Everything you think of Nikolas in previous books seems to go against what he thinks in this book. Sometimes it’s also hard to determine what is a flashback and what is present. Or at least it was for me.

This was going to be a three-star but the ending ruined the book for me. I think everything was wrapped up fast. I just wasn’t feeling this book.