A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal (Redeemable Rogues #5) by Tanya Anne Crosby

  A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal by Tanya Anne Crosby

Blurb:

 Not quite sweet, not quite spicy, A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal is a witty, passionate Victorian novella by New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Tanya Anne Crosby.

Lady Margaret Willingham is a wealthy heiress, who knows what she wants. No husband. No children. No man to tell her what to do, or how to do it. Forced to marry, or lose her inheritance, she defies convention and places an ad in the paper for a commoner husband, fully intending to take charge of her life. When the perfect candidate applies, Margaret has no inkling that he's keeping a life-long promise or that a midnight kiss holds the key to healing her spinster's heart.


"A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal" is a sweet and charming story, that once again drew me in and made me swoon and sigh a  lot. I loved the hero and the heroine, Lady Margaret and Gabriel because of their authenticity and of course, Lady Margaret was such a strong character who knew exactly what she wanted and how to make it happen (even though she didn't get what she asked for but she might have got what she really wanted).
Gabriel fulfilling a life-long promise may find some real love along the way and Lady Margaret, well, Maggie will find everything she ever dreamed of - and more. What I also loved was the fact that once she realized who she had married, she didn't play any games.
This story about two childhood friends finally getting a chance at love, also shows once again the social status of a woman in those times and how powerless they were when it came to protecting themselves and their property against abuse.
A short but beautiful story that I really enjoyed reading.

★★★★

WIld Child by A.S Green #WildChild #NetGalley

Wild Child by A.S. Green

Blurb:

I have never been to a place so tiny. Little Bear Island could fit in New York's armpit. Still a job is a job and, after surviving Afghanistan, what's twenty-four hours in podunk hell?

Providing private security for a celebrity wedding is nothing new...until I come face-to-face with Natalie O'Brien. The woman who chose someone else and kicked me to the curb six years ago. Time has done nothing to tame her. She's a red-headed beauty with a sharp tongue and nerves of steel who could seriously knock me off my game…

When my assistant bails, Natalie jumps at the chance to get off this tiny island. Now we're stuck criss-crossing the country in my SUV, with her tantalizing scent filling the cab and her smart mouth making me very...uncomfortable. Good thing the job will be over soon. So why does the thought of saying goodbye a second time make my heart stop?


Okay, I just read this book in one sitting, I guess that says a lot, right? Oh, don't get me wrong, there were parts where I was a bit annoyed and there were moments when I thought "Seriously?" but I'm still not sure whether it was the author's part or the characters' parts that upset me.

No matter what though, I was hooked and there were moments when I didn't want to turn the page or simply read on because I knew that I wouldn't like what would happen next. There were times when I was really really upset, other times when I was furious but there were also so many times when I just said and smiled goofily or grinned or whatever.

When Natalie and Jax meet again at a wedding on Natalie's tiny island sparks fly again even though both of them try very hard to resist the attraction. Six years ago, losing each other left both of them raw and hurting. Today...well, that's what we'll have to find out, right? And that's also what they have to find out when they end up on another road trip together.

After everything he's been through, Jax doesn't consider himself to be the right guy for Natalie anymore. Hard luck for him that Natalie doesn't exactly agree and somehow manages to get under his skin and claim his heart. Or maybe, she never gave his heart back anyway. But no matter what, they'll have to fight for their love and a chance at happiness.

I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely check out other books by the author. There were parts that were a bit unbelievable like Jackson's amazing success at his job or the number of coincidences throughout the book that lead to the two of them getting back together but on the whole, the story was captivating and entertaining.

★★★★

 

Sweet Home Highlander (Tartans and Titans #1) by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan

Sweet Home Highlander by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan

Blurb:

Lady Aisla Montgomery has a perfectly tolerable marriage...as long as her husband stays in Scotland and she in Paris. But now, years later, she wants only one thing—a divorce.

Niall Stuart Maclaren, the rugged Laird of Tarbendale rues the day he met his beautiful, conniving wife. Though the thought of her incites a bitter and biting fury, no other woman has ever stirred his blood as hotly. When Aisla returns to Scotland to sever ties, Niall agrees on one condition—one week with him for every year of desertion. Six weeks as his wife in his castle...in his bed...in exchange for her freedom.

I really wanted Niall and Aisla to get back together because it is so very obvious that those two are in love despite everything that happened between them and I must admit that their lack of communication or sometimes even their malcommunication made me a bit mad. Fortunately, before they really made me mad, they started to talk and ...well. 

This book pulled me in and kept me reading despite their lack of proper communication. I loved Niall and Aisla and hated those that tried to tear them apart - again. Actually, I really didn't understand that Niall didn't see any of that (okay, he is a man, so probably that explains it all).  I also loved most of the minor characters and I can't wait to read Makenna's story which will hopefully follow (very) soon!
Back to Niall and Aisla though. This heartwarming and heart-breaking second chance story was written beautifully and comes along with lots of treachery, misunderstandings and pure viciousness which were perfectly balanced by true love, friendship and loyalty. A really nice story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I am already looking forward to the next book in this new series!

(One thing though - I was a bit upset because despite the fact that we read very often about the devastating effect that alcohol had on Niall's character (even tough he himself doesn't really acknowledge it despite the fact that he never drinks anymore), he smells is and tasts it again without any effect. He even prides himself because of his strong character that would allow him to never really drink again, a sip or a glass would be okay, though. Okay, I know that in those times people didn't know anything about it but I know that it is not that easy to drink "just one glass" or "just one sip" if you have been addicted to alcohol and honestly, as often as he was seriously drunk, as much as he destroyed by his drinking, I consider him a former addict - and I wouldn't let him near any alcohol because the danger of a relapse is always there. I know, that has nothing to do with the book itself but having met quite a number of former addicts in my life, it feels wrong to accept that Niall just drinks - or not - without any danger of a relapse.)

★★★★