I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Everything is hotter with a British accent…
Sarah MacLean – A Duke Worth Falling For:
Her career in tatters, celebrity photographer Lilah Rose retreats to the British countryside, complete with fluffy sheep, rolling hills…and Max, the stern, sexy farmer who tends to them. But their lazy days and lush nights aren’t as far from the spotlight as Lilah thinks, and Max will have to reveal the truth if he is going to convince Lilah that some dukes are worth the risk.
Sophie Jordan – Better with You:
When the author of a controversial self-help book starts receiving threats, she has no choice but to accept a bodyguard on her UK book tour. Vee Mathers is famous for asserting that women don’t need men—especially for sex!—but at security specialist Luca Moretti’s first, burning touch, she starts to think she might need to revise her theory…
Louisa Edwards – Not a Bad Boy:
Writer Mallory Pritchard moved to London for research—and to get over a bad breakup. When she (literally) runs into Hollywood’s hottest action hero, Ian Hale, at a dog park, she realizes her heart isn’t as broken as she thought! Ian is even more devastatingly sexy in person, which makes Mallory wonder…is there room for a regular girl in his glamorous movie-star world?
Tessa Gratton – Songbird:
Former American soldier Daniel Kelly’s mission is simple: close the deal to buy a Welsh pub on behalf of his family’s corporation, and survive another anniversary of the worst day of his service. Too bad that from the moment he sees the pub’s owner, Elspeth Gwenlan is the only thing Daniel wants to conquer—even if it means lying to her about his agenda.
Sierra Simone – Supplicant:
After being left at the altar by her cold and brilliant professor, Church Cason, Charlotte Tenpenny had to leave school to take care of her younger brother. But a fateful night brings Church—and his delicious, drugging kisses—back into Charlotte’s life. And it stirs up a reckoning years in the making . . .
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I was so excited when I found out that this anthology was coming out! And I was not disappointed!
I will be reviewing each novella in the anthology and I’ll review the anthology as a whole.
A Duke Worth Falling For by Sarah MacLean
Heat Level: Steamy
This is Sarah MacLean’s very first contemporary romance and she did not disappoint! I love the opening scene – the heroine gets attacked by a rogue sheep! Then we get introduced to the hero and we immediately see the sparks between the two!
A Duke Worth Falling For was emotional and had me crying almost from the start! I am such a sucker for the hidden identity trope and this novella checked all my boxes!
This book did not feel like a novella! I was amazed at how the character development for both Max and Lilah! Their relationship progression felt fully developed and I felt that it was very believable that these two would fall in love in such a short time!
Also, I can’t not sing A Girl Worth Fighting For when I read this tile. LOL
Better with You by Sophie Jordan
Heat Level: Steamy
I am waffling a bit between 3.5 – 4 stars on this novella. Better with You is a bodyguard romance and I thought that it was done well, but for some reason, I wanted more.
Our bodyguard, Luca, is such a stoic British character and I liked how he was trying to keep his cool and try not to be seduced by the heroine, Vee. I think that the relationship development was a bit rushed but still believable.
If you want to read a quick novella featuring the following – closed proximity and there is only one bed, Better with You is the perfect quick read for you!
Not a Bad Boy by Louisa Edwards
Heat Level: Steamy
Not a Bad Boy really gave me Captain America/Chris Evans vibes! I thought this was a very sweet and charming romance!
I loved that that heroine, Mallory, knew from the start who the famous actor was! It was definitely a believable romance! I also love that this book includes dogs!
Not a Bad Boy included a meet-cute that reminded me of Disney’s animated 101 Dalmatians! If you have seen that movie, you will know what I mean!
Songbird by Tessa Gratton
Heat Level: Steamy
Songbird is my least favorite novella in this anthology. I honestly think that the plot was all over the place, to be honest. And I also did not feel the romance between Daniel and Elspeth.
This is Tessa Gratton’s first foray into romance, so this may be why? I have never read her before, but I just didn’t feel like the romance between Daniel and Elspeth was believable. And because Daniel lied to Elspeth, I feel like he was forgiven pretty quickly.
Supplicant by Sierra Simon
Heat Level: SCORCH
This novella surprised me a lot. I have read Sierra Simone’s Priest and Supplicant had the same feel to it.
I was not expecting to enjoy this novella as much as I have. While it is not an erotic romance, this is steamier than all other novellas in this anthology.
Not only that, Supplicant had that taboo feeling to it because the main plot involves a relationship between an older man and his student! Although, the main romance happens years later when the heroine is no longer a student. This is also a second-chance romance, one of my favorite romance tropes!
Thoughts on the Anthology
Overall, I enjoyed this anthology and I highly recommend it. While not all of the novellas were a hit to me, I think there is enough for everyone!
This anthology is also a great way to try new authors! I have never read Louisa Edwards or Tessa Gratton before and I may look at their backlists.
I didn’t realise Louisa Edwards was coming back. I read her foodie romances years ago and like them a lot.
Yes this is her come back after a few years of not publishing anything 🙂
Sarah’s was my favorite because her writing gave me La Nora vibes with Lilah’s photography competence porn at the start. Next is Louisa’s because it’s a fantasy-fulfilling story. Sophie’s is middle of the pack for me. There’s a magic-peen element to it that’s a bit much. Tessa’s story has a great sense of place. Sierra’s characters are super messed-up but their discussions are so esoteric, so highly intelligent, there’s much to admire.
Yes 100% I think Sarah should write more contemporaries!