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 Convenient Engagement by Ashtyn Newbold

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 184
Series: Brides of Brighton #1
Genre: Historical, Regency, Romance, Fake Fiance
Published: Oct. 20, 2018
Rating: 4

Synopsis:

A false engagement. A mysterious coast. Two reluctant hearts.

Much to her father’s dismay, Miss Amelia Buxton aspires to become a spinster, just like her eccentric aunt. Growing up with parents who married for every reason but love, she has never seen a joyful marriage. When Amelia requests a summer trip to the legendary waters of Brighton, her father allows her the excursion, but with one requirement: she must return engaged, or agree to the proposal of the man of his choosing.

Crawling with tourists, Brighton is not the town Adam Claridge once loved. When his sister Eleanor disappears without warning, Adam is desperate to bring her home. In his search, he happens upon Miss Amelia Buxton, a young tourist that proves vital in his search for Eleanor. But Amelia is conducting a search of her own—a search for a husband—and Adam has little choice but to offer a fair trade: he will play the role of Amelia’s betrothed in exchange for her assistance in finding Eleanor.

Convenient at first, Amelia and Adam’s arrangement quickly plummets into disarray. Falling in love had not been part of their bargain.

A Convenient Engagement is a sweet and clean regency romance novel.

Review:

Amelia is from Nottingham. Her father is overbearing while her aunt is free. In order to go to Brighton, Amelia makes a deal with her father. She will return engaged or she will marry the man her father picked.

Amelia goes to Brighton with her Aunt Margeret and a maid named Fanny. They have a run-in with Adam on the beach. A man whose sister is missing and his father is ill. Quickly Amelia agrees to help Adam in finding his sister, while Adam agrees to be Amelia’s fake fiance.

What is one thing I love about historical romances? The flirting. I enjoyed Amelia’s sarcastic insults as well. We have lost such good language when it comes to insults and flirting nowadays. Plus what happened to the courtship? Dating is overrated. If I wasn’t married, I’d make a man court me. Also, I wouldn’t mind dressing in regency clothes.

I did find in the author’s note that she was inspired by the real-life dipper Martha Gunn. I did not know that Brighton at one point in history was known for a cure in its waters. I loved finding out about that. I do plan on moving forward with this series. I have a few more books to read but I will love to return for a visit to the Brighton waters in the near future.