Category Archives: HarlequinHQN

February 26, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Trouble with Honor by Julia London

honorTitle: The Trouble with Honor by Julia London
The Cabot Sisters Book One
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Passion and scandal collide in New York Times bestselling author Julia London’s brand-new series about four sisters determined to rescue themselves from ruin…

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family’s ruin. Upon the earl’s death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home—and their place on the pedestal of society—to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil’s bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother’s fiancée out of the Cabots’ lives for good.

An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

The Review:

The Trouble with Honor, the first novel in Julia London’s The Cabot Sisters series, is a delightfully charming historical romance. This sparkling gem is full of appealing characters but it is the fun storyline and deliciously steamy encounters that kept me captivated from beginning to end.

With her stepfather’s rapidly failing health and her stepbrother’s impending marriage, Honor Cabot devises an outrageous scheme to save her family from financial ruin. Her mother’s swiftly deteriorating health is the impetus behind Honor and her sister Grace’s fears for future of their small family and Honor enlists the aid of George Easton to help convince her stepbrother’s fiancée to reconsider her upcoming marriage.

Honor is in her early twenties and having had her heart broken in the past, she has steered clear of romantic entanglements so it is easy to believe she is frivolous and a little shallow. But lurking behind Honor’s carefree exterior is a very determined young woman who is fiercely devoted to her loved ones. Stubborn, headstrong and quite feisty, she is also very kindhearted and quite loving. Honor cares deeply for her stepbrother, Augustine, but she also knows how easily manipulated he can be by his fiancée, Monica. It is her desperation to protect her mother that drives Honor to devise her plan to come between Augustine and Monica but Monica is surprisingly resistant to George’s charms. And then there’s the matter of Honor’s surprising attraction to George…

The illegitimate son of a chambermaid and a Duke, all George has ever desired is to be accepted by society. He has achieved a measure of success by investing in risky ventures and for much of the novel, he is on the brink of financial ruin when his latest undertaking appears to have gone awry. While George may not be entertained in polite society, he is quite popular with the ladies, and in fact, he is a bit of a rake. But he is a rake with a conscience, and at first, he is quite hesitant to woo Monica from Augustine. But Honor is pretty persuasive and since she does not want George to actually seduce Monica, George reluctantly agrees to go along with Honor’s plan.

George and Honor are wonderful protagonists and I really enjoyed watching them match wits. Honor is certainly a force to be reckoned with and George is certainly up to the task of resisting her manipulations. The chemistry between them is palpable and their scenes are underscored with a delicious sexual tension.

The plot of The Trouble with Honor is refreshingly unique and the characters are well-developed and likable. George and Honor are wonderfully imperfect with insecurities and flaws that are easy to relate to. Julia London adroitly avoids the usual romance clichés and even the “evil” secondary cast of characters is appealing and sympathetic. A truly enjoyable read that leaves me eager for the next installment in the Cabot Sisters series.

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Filed under Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Historical, Julia London, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Cabot Sisters, The Trouble with Honor

December 22, 2013 · 11:56 pm

Review: Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Title: Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman teetering on the verge of thirty must be in want of a husband.

Not true for Manhattanite Elizabeth Scott. Instead of planning a walk down the aisle, she’s crossing the pond with the only companion she needs—her darling dog, Bliss. Caring for a pack of show dogs in England seems the perfect distraction from the scandal that ruined her teaching career, and her reputation, in New York. What she doesn’t count on is an unstoppable attraction to billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. The London tycoon’s a little bit arrogant, a whole lot sexy…and the chemistry between them is disarming. When passion is finally unleashed, might Elizabeth hope to take home more than a blue ribbon?

The Review:

Teri Wilson’s Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a clever novel that bears a few similarities to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Fans of the original work will enjoy this updated version but this cute story will appeal to anyone who enjoys light-hearted contemporary romances.

After being forced to take a leave of absence from her teaching position at a prestigious private school, Elizabeth Scott eagerly accepts a job offer as a dog nanny in England. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, her new boss lives across the street from dog breeder and show judge, Donovan Darcy, the man who annoys her to no end. Underlying Elizabeth’s annoyance with Donovan is an undeniable passion that she finds almost impossible to resist.

Elizabeth and Donovan are wonderful protagonists and I really enjoyed watching them fall in love. Elizabeth is very cynical about marriage due to her years working in the family bridal business. Her brushes with the wealthy have also left her with a few self-esteem issues that come to the surface during her tempestuous courtship. Their mutual love of dogs brings them together but the vast difference in their socioeconomic backgrounds is a major stumbling block for Elizabeth. It was nice seeing her change some of her long held opinions and finally give their relationship a chance.

Donovan is a quintessential British aristocrat who is surprised by the strong emotion and desire he feels for Elizabeth. In a refreshing change of pace, he is quicker to embrace his evolving feelings than Elizabeth. He intuitively picks the right gestures that cheer Elizabeth up when she needs it most.

The banter between Donovan and Elizabeth is quite witty and spirited. Their relationship is on again/off again for much of the novel and the final resolution of their romance seems drawn out a little too long. The backdrop of the dog show world is unique but a little too much emphasis is placed on the inner workings of the shows. The story is a slow moving with very little action and there is a lot of introspection by both Donovan and Elizabeth. While the overall storyline is a little predictable, Ms. Wilson throws in a few unexpected plot twists.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is an angst free romance with charming characters and adorable dogs. Teri Wilson’s writing style is quite engaging and her retelling of a favorite classic is fresh and innovative. All in all, a sweet, romantic read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary novels.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Teri Wilson, Unleashing Mr. Darcy

October 24, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

Title: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins
Blue Heron Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise?

Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn’t easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn’t easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….

The Review:

In The Perfect Match, Kristan Higgins puts a unique and humorous spin on the familiar marriage of convenience storyline. In this delightfully charming second installment in the Blue Heron series, Honor Holland agrees to marry Tom Barlow so he can remain in the US to stay near the son of his heart, Charlie. Sounds simple, but their plan is quickly complicated by a surprising attraction, unwanted emotions and a surly teenager. Add Honor’s eclectic family to the mix and you have a romance that will warm your heart and keep you laughing out loud at their outrageous antics.

Honor is the responsible one in the Holland family. A workaholic in the family winery, Honor is still living at home with her widowed father when her comfortable world begins to crumble. Her long time friends with benefits guy pal rejects her marriage proposal then turns around and becomes engaged to her “best” friend. Her dad decides it is time to hire an assistant for Honor so she can get a life. So when her grandmother encourages her to meet Tom, the nephew of one of her friends, Honor reluctantly agrees to meet the British professor.

Tom was pretty damaged by his previous relationship with Charlie’s mom, so he has plenty of barriers in place when he first meets Honor. He agrees to marry her, but they decide to take things slow and get to know one another before they marry. They move in together, but they are incredibly awkward with one another. Tom is flirty and affectionate with her in public, but behind closed doors, he keeps an emotional distance from her.

One of the absolute best things about Tom is his unconditional love for Charlie. His heart is fully invested in the moody teenager and his patience with him is endless. Of course Charlie’s surly, prickly attitude is understandable given the loss of his mother, his grandparents indifference and his absentee father. The only good thing in Charlie’s life is Tom’s steady presence and their relationship begins to blossom once Honor enters the picture but their fragile bond is threatened by a person from Charlie’s past.

The romance between Tom and Honor is slow growing and full of sexual tension. Neither of them are willing to risk their hearts so they tend to be a little closed off from one another. It takes about half the novel for them to get together and even then their relationship continues to be a work in progress. Just when it looks like Tom and Honor have a real chance at happiness, a major obstacle stops them in their tracks.

Honor’s crazy family is on tap to provide plenty of support and laughter throughout the story. Pru and husband Carl are still going at it hot and heavy, much to everyone’s chagrin. Levi and Faith are still in the honeymoon stage and Faith quickly rivals Pru when it comes to oversharing intimate details. Jack is still the same clueless, happy go lucky brother. The siblings’ grandparents are still squabbling and resisting all efforts to move them into a retirement home. And an unexpected romance for their long widowed dad takes everyone by surprise.

The Perfect Match is another outstanding romance from Kristan Higgins. A beautiful mix of humor and seriousness, it is an engrossing story with appealing and realistic characters. An all around feel good read that will touch your heart, I highly recommend this latest addition to the Blue Heron series.

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Filed under Blue Heron Series, Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Kristan Higgins, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Perfect Match

October 7, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster

Title: Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster
Love Undercover Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Blot Tour Company

Summary:

An alpha hero’s attraction to the one woman he can’t have could draw him into a killer’s snare in the sizzling new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn’t the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distance—including a past that might come back to haunt them both.

Avery spends her nights working for tips…and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy’s protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she’s finally found…and the passion she’s always wanted.

The Review:

Getting Rowdy is the sexy yet sweet third installment in Lori Foster’s Love Undercover series. Bar owner Rowdy Yates and bartender Avery Mullins finally find their happily ever after but they have a few obstacles to overcome along the way. Avery is going to have to confront the past she has been running away from while Rowdy has to face the emotional wreckage from his childhood.

Rowdy Yates oozes sex appeal, he is über charming and women are drawn to him like flies to honey. He is always upfront that he is a no-strings, one night stand kind of guy and Avery Mullins is not planning on becoming his next conquest. When an incident at the bar leaves Rowdy in need of some tender loving care, Avery is the logical choice to stay with him and their relationship slowly evolves from friends to lovers.

OK, I admit I was not too sure about Rowdy in the beginning. The opening scene pretty much left me wondering what the heck Avery saw in him and I knew that warming up to him was not going to be easy. I am glad that I kept an open mind about him but my feelings about him were conflicted for a good portion of the novel. Having said that, Rowdy is a good guy, very protective of his loved ones and he does have a lot of great qualities. He is very slow to open up to Avery, but once he does, the healing process begins. And watching him figure out his feelings for Avery? Sooo sweet and emotionally satisfying.

I liked Avery right from the beginning, and I admired how she stood her ground with Rowdy. She was definitely attracted to him, but she wanted more from him than a one night stand. In her own way, she is just as protective as Rowdy and that makes her reluctant to discuss her past. While Avery wants to know what haunts Rowdy, she patiently waits until he is ready to talk about his demons.

There are a couple of secondary story arcs in addition to Avery and Rowdy’s romance. A chance encounter with an abused child really showcases Rowdy’s softer and more vulnerable side. It also gives fans of the series a chance to catch up with Alice and Reese (from Bare It All).

The other storyline revolves around the secret from Avery’s past. There is plenty of buildup to the stalker plot and while I had my suspicions about who was behind it, I could not figure out why. There were a few surprises about the culprit but the resolution of this part of the storyline felt rushed.

Overall, Getting Rowdy is a fast-paced romance with a full cast of engaging characters. Old and new fans of the Love Undercover series are sure to enjoy this newest addition and Lori Foster expertly sets the stage for Dash and Margo’s story, Dash of Peril.

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Getting Rowdy, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Lori Foster, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense

September 23, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl

Title: So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl
Jackson Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Tough to tame, but not too tough to love…

Charlie Allington is supposed to be on the fast track to the top—a small-town girl who was making it big in her career. Instead, she’s reeling from a scandal that’s pretty much burned all her bridges. Now, out of options, she needs a place to lick her wounds and figure out her future. True, working at a ski resort in rugged Jackson Hole, Wyoming, isn’t her dream job. But if there’s one perk to coming back, it’s a certain sexy hometown boy who knows how to make a girl feel welcome.

Cowboy Walker Pearce never expected a grown-up Charlie to be temptation in tight jeans. She’s smart and successful—way out of league for a man like him. But he’s not about to let that, or his secrets, get in the way of their blazing-hot attraction. Yet when passion turns to something more, will the truth—about both of them—send her out of his life for good…or into his arms forever?

The Review:

So Tough to Tame is the fast-paced and extra steamy third installment of Victoria Dahl’s series set in Jackson, WY. Although characters from previous novels are mentioned and there are guest appearances by others, it can be read as a standalone story.

Charlotte “Charlie” Allington’s return to Jackson Hole is precipitated by a cataclysmic scandal involving her previous job. Her brother and an old friend have helped her secure a position in a yet to be opened resort and while she is working hard, Charlie is planning to move on when her professional reputation has been repaired. Needing a little distance from her boss’s intense scrutiny, Charlie moves in to the Stud Farm and discovers that Walker Pearce, her long ago crush, is her next door neighbor. The sparks are soon flying between them but misunderstandings and poor communication soon come between them.

Charlie and Walker are fun, flirty and likable but they come across as superficial for much of the story. Each of them has issues stemming from their childhoods that influence their actions in the present but neither of them is willing to discuss their past or current problems. This leaves the reader with the impression that there is not much depth or substance to their characters. By the time the truth begins to emerge, it is fairly late in the story and the resolution feels rather rushed.

The storyline with Charlie’s career is rather confusing because the back story of how she ended up in Jackson is slow to be revealed. The secondary storyline with her friend/boss Dawn is not only puzzling but rather irritating since there does not seem to be any context for Dawn’s actions. Charlie was slow to catch on to how she was being manipulated but she was quick to act when she figured out what was going on behind the scenes and I like how this part of the storyline played out.

Some of the best scenes in So Tough to Tame involve Rayleen Kisler, the feisty owner of the Stud Farm. Charlie proves to be a pretty good match for the outrageous octogenarian and I laughed out loud at their witty banter. It was great to finally see Rayleen’s relationship with Easy make progress.

Despite a few issues, So Tough to Tame is an easy to read and entertaining romance. The characters are engaging and likable and the sex scenes between Charlie and Walker are scorching hot. An enjoyable addition to Victoria Dahl’s Jackson series that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Jackson series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Jackson Series, Rated C+, Review, Romance, So Tough to Tame, Victoria Dahl

July 25, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Some Like It Hot by Susan Andersen

Title: Some Like It Hot by Susan Andersen
Razor Bay Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

“Wrong for each other” never felt more right…

Even a lifelong traveler like Harper Summerville has to admire the scenery in Razor Bay, Washington. There’s the mountains. The evergreens. The water. And Max Bradshaw, the incredibly sexy deputy sheriff. Still, Harper’s here only for the summer, working covertly for her family’s foundation. And getting involved with this rugged, intense former marine would be a definite conflict of interest—professionally and personally.

Max’s scarred childhood left him determined to put down roots in Razor Bay, yet one look at Harper—a woman who happily lives out of a suitcase—leaves him speechless with desire for things he’s never had. He might not be big on talking, but Max’s toe-curling kisses are getting the message across loud and clear. Harper belongs here, with him, because things are only beginning to heat up….

The Review:

A heartwarming romance that will keep you smiling from ear to ear, Some Like It Hot is an absolutely delightful addition to Susan Andersen’s Razor Bay series. Harper Summerville loves traveling and meeting new people. Max Bradshaw has strong family ties to Razor Bay and has no intentions of ever leaving. Their electrifying sexual attraction brings them together but will Harper’s secrets and her wandering feet tear them apart?

Introduced in That Thing Called Love, Max and Harper are very appealing protagonists. Max is a multi-layered character with a surprising amount of depth. In the beginning, he is pretty serious and reserved but once he begins to come out of his shell, he is quite charming. Max still carries the emotional baggage from his childhood, but he uses his experiences to connect with the troubled teenagers at the boys club in town. Max and his half-brother Jake’s attempts to overcome their troubled past have successfully mended the rift between them and some of their scenes are the best ones in the novel.

Harper is a breath of fresh air and I found her an easy character to relate to. She has an enthusiastic and bubbly personality and her energy leaps off the pages. Harper is at odds with her mother over her vagabond lifestyle, and their relationship is loving but contentious. She has easily settled in to her (temporary) life in Razor Bay and she is quickly forming close friendships with her boss Jenny and another local Tasha. Although she is quickly growing to love her new life, Harper panics at the thought of settling in one place permanently.

Max and Harper initially harbor misconceptions about one another, and the slow buildup of their relationship allows them to get know each other. Underlying their growing friendship is a delicious sexual tension and in a refreshing change of pace, Max is the one who is hesitant to take their relationship to the next level. When they finally do give into their passion, their sex scenes are sensual yet full of emotion.

While their relationship is progressing relatively smoothly, Harper’s departure is drawing ever closer. Max is beginning to become suspicious of her seemingly furtive behavior and when he uncovers the real reason Harper is in Razor Bay, his insecurities cause him to lash out at her. Given his past, Max’s reactions are realistic and once his initial shock has passed, he is able to look at their situation more objectively. When Max proposes a compromise to Harper, will her fears keep them from reconciling?

While Some Like It Hot is well-written, some of the dialogue and phrases are a little outdated. I was fully immersed in the story and while it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the novel, it occurs often enough that I kept thinking there was no way someone that age would use that particular saying. It is an minor distraction but one worth mentioning.

A sweet, yet sexy, novel, Some Like It Hot is a perfect blend of family, friendship and romance. The cast of characters is diverse, beautifully developed and immensely likable. The plot is compelling and the conflict that arises between Max and Harper is believable and it is resolved fairly quickly. Late in the novel, the introduction of a surprise character with unexpected (and intriguing) ties to Razor Bay leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in Susan Andersen’s fabulous Razor Bay series.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Rated B+, Razor Bay Series, Review, Romance, Some Like It Hot, Susan Andersen