The Apothecary's Daughter

by Julie Klassen

Genre: Regency Romance, Young Adult, Adult

Rating: Clean

Summary:

As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary shop, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond --- of travel and adventure and romance.

When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for --- the truth of the past and a love for the future?

Personal Review: 

I loved this book. What I like about Julie Klassen's books is that they are very well paced. She takes the time to develop her plot lines and characters, there isn't too much going on, and yet it never gets boring. And what girl doesn't like a well written romance? Good Read!

-Curry

If you enjoyed this you might like:

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

The Tutor's Daughter

Review by heyes

The Tutor’s Daughter

by Julie Klassen

Genre: Regency, Romance, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

The main character of this book, Emma, is the daughter of a tutor who has had many sons of gentlemen and the nobility attend his school. Now Emma’s father’s school is failing and Emma, in a desperate attempt  to bring it about, writes to Sir Giles, Baronet, the father of two former students and two hopeful future students. Now Sir Giles has offered him a position at their home. This situation causes all kind of problems for Emma, not the least of which are her father’s former students: the worst of her tormentors and her first love. Someone is sneaking into her room, making strange noises in the night, and threatening her. She is determined to discover the secret of Phillip’s and Henry’s home and figure out why someone wants her dead.

Personal Review:

Julie Klassen writes Christian Fiction, which means that her characters are religious and it is referenced in the book. Out of all the authors of the Christian Fiction genre, I think that Julie does it tactfully and not preachy. I think that whatever your religious tendencies are, you can enjoy this book and the characters. Henry is your awesome brooding hero, Phillip the charming, jovial hero and Emma, while having faults is still likable. Her vulnerabilities are realistic and relatable. The story is reminiscent of gothic novels of the 18th and 19th century. If you like Jane Eyre and Jane Austen you will probably like this book. **by the way I think this is probably the most preachy of Julie Klassen’s books and it’s still not bad. **

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

-Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

-Glimmer of Hope by Sarah Eden

Becoming Lady Lockwood

Becoming Lady Lockwood

by Jennifer Moore

Genre: Regency, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

Amelia is a widow that never had a chance to meet her husband before his untimely demise. The new Earl of Lockwood does not want to bequeath the third of his estates to his brother's conniving widow. As Amelia sails from her home in Jamaica to London to the trial that will decide if she is the former Countess of Lockwood, she finds it impossible to avoid her faux brother in law and soon finds she doesn't want to. But the law may decide she is his sister and the last person that he should have feelings for.

Personal Review:

I really enjoyed reading this book and May or may not have stayed up till 2:30am reading it. Which may not be significant since I have stayed up late for many unworthy books. With this book, I simply lost track of time. I really enjoyed the characters. I thought that Amelia was well rounded heroine without being so obviously sainted by the author. I thought both the hero and heroine could have been real people and that they were consistent. Something that I really liked about this book was the lack of problem most romances have: the conflict between couples that is blown out of proportion and could be cleared with a simple conversation. Maybe mainly because the conflict was that they couldn’t have a conversation. But either way it was refreshing. This book also didn’t have the main characters thinking things like I don't know why I want to be around them always, and when another person shows attention to them I am jealous, but of course I can't figure out that I love them, or am even interested in them for like 5 years. Again, it was refreshing. This book is comparable to Sarah Eden or Julianne Donaldson, at least right now, I liked it better. SPOILER ALERT The only thing that I could say negatively about it is that I’m not sure if the legal problem between them as far as not being able to marry your brother’s widow. Maybe that’s true but other than it being somewhat suspect or questionable I think it was legal. I don’t know, if you do please let me know.

- heyes

If you liked this you might also like:

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

As You Are

Review by Felicity

As You Are

by: Sarah M. Eden

Genre: Regency Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (back of book)

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages. But how to catch the eye of the lady? According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman's desire dubious advice, indeed. Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they've been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he's coming to care for so ardently. When the menace of Clara's past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

Personal Review:

This is my new favorite of Sarah Eden’s books. Corbin is not your usual hero which makes him all the better. I also love how you get to see so many other characters from her other books. I suggest reading ‘Seeking Persephone’ if you haven’t already because my favorite part of this book is when the Duke of Kielder makes an appearance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

The Kiss of a Stranger

Review by Felicity

The Kiss of a Stranger

by: Sarah M Eden

Genre: Regency/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean (the villain is a physically abusive uncle)

Sarah M Eden is currently one of my favorite authors. Her books are quick and easy reads with fun and exciting romantic heroes and heroines set mostly in the regency period.

Summary:  (from goodreads)

When Crispin, Lord Cavratt, thoroughly and scandalously kisses a serving woman in the garden of a country inn, he assumes the encounter will be of no consequence. But he couldn't be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentlemen, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle.

Trapped between an unwanted marriage and a hasty annulment, which would leave his reputation tainted and Catherine's utterly ruined, Crispin begins guiding his wife's transformation from a socially petrified country girl to a lady of society. Their unfolding relationship reveals encouraging surprises for both of them, and privately each of them wonders if theirs may become a true marriage of the heart. But their hopes are dashed when forces conspire to split asunder what fate has granted. As a battle of wits escalates into a life-threatening confrontation, will it be possible for Crispin and Catherine to live happily ever after?

Personal Review:

In this book you will watch a married couple fall in love and see all the dysfunction that comes from poor communication. I will admit the story is rather unnecessarily dramatic at times and yet I loved every moment of it. This book also has the bonus of introducing the Jonquil brothers which go on to be the heroes of three of her other books I also love.    

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

As You Are by Sarah M Eden

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Friends and Foes by Sarah M Eden

Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle

Review by heyes

Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle

By Georgette Heyer  

Genre: Regency, Romance, Historical Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: References to past indiscretions

Summary:

The arrogant, yet correctly civil, Duke of Salford knows exactly what he wants for a bride. Phoebe Marlow is not it. She meets none of his requirements and she is the author of a novel that is causing all kinds of gossip...and he is the main character.

Personal Review:

I loved it. Georgette Heyer’s style of writing is witty and clever. Georgette Heyer is great at character development and she is so historically accurate(at least as far as I know.) I love the clear growth of the relationships between characters. Phoebe is amazing. If you like Pride and Prejudice you will also enjoy this one. The reference to previous indiscretions(typical for period novels) is vague so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you are concerned you can find it mentioned between pages 1-16. After that there is no reference it.

-heyes

If you liked this book, you may also like:

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden