A Delight! 'Bookmarked for Love' - Checking Out Love 3 - by Sarah Monzon

 

About the book:

When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again. 
  
Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. But when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a best-selling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line. 

In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon presents a story that will delight fans of bookish-themed reads and forced-proximity romance.

My review:

This was such a delightful story.  I loved that Martha was a plus-size woman who was confident in who she was and that she was just fine without a man.  I also loved her positive attitude, her love of books and her witty comebacks.  It was refreshing that they were a little older and not in their twenties as it seems like so many books focus on young love.   It was fun when books or shows were mentioned, especially some of my favorites or ones I now want to look into.  There was mention of prayer and Julien's grandmother's faith and it seemed to be something they were both leaning into.  Martha also had to decide if she was willing to forgive.  There were also some crazy, funny moments that made me laugh.  I loved how thoughtful Julian tried to be with her and that he was a man of integrity.  He worked too much but was also trying to get his dad to retire so it felt like he didn't have much of a choice.  There were some very sweet romantic moments.  This worked well as a stand-alone and I can't wait to read the first two.  I have the first one already.  I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Wonderful! 'The Light of Stars' - by Jenelle Hovde

 

About the book:

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in both glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets.

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore her and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way.

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit.

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift—especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother.

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and decide if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure.

Sweet historical romance filled with hope, faith, and an arranged marriage dynamic. Perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, or Abigail Wilson. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.

My review:

I really enjoyed this story with a little different take on the Regency period than I've read before.  I loved that India was brought into the equation, not only because the heroine was half Indian, half English, but because her intended grew up in India and he and his family were very involved in the East India Company.  There were rumors and accusations flying around about corruption and Sebastian was determined to get to the bottom of it.  He and Kitty both struggled with feeling like not enough because of how their grandfathers treated them but for different reasons.  Kitty was a firecracker who loved astronomy and her grandfather disapproved of both; she was fun to watch as you never knew what she would say next!  It was also fun to watch her and Sebastian banter.  I did feel like she could be too impulsive at times and brought more problems on herself because of it.  She also struggled with forgiving her grandfather for how she was treated and for past wrongs.  There were some good spiritual conversations and sweet romance.  I appreciated that real people were brought into the story, William Carey and William Wilberforce, one a missionary and the other an abolitionist who was instrumental in getting England to abolish their slave trade.  I liked seeing more of what was going on with the spiritual and social issues of the time.  This is my first book by Jenelle Hovde and it won't be my last!  I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.