Tag Archive for: Historical Fiction

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Husbands & Lovers

Husbands & LoversTitle: Husbands & Lovers
Author: Beatriz Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 3 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 384
Length: 12h 31m
Narrator: Helen Laser, Caroline Hewitt
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely adored HUSBANDS & LOVERS. I was hooked from the prologue. It was a beautiful story of love, loss, and betrayal. I equally loved reading both Hannah’s and Mallory’s stories and loved how they fit together.

I knew why Mallory left and didn’t talk to Monk about Sam way before the reveal. I’m sad I was right, but I’m glad the story happened the way it did. I also feel so much for Hannah and her life. She lost so much. I’m glad Mallory and Paige figured out what happened to her and got to meet Károly in the end.

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The Lost Apothecary

The Lost ApothecaryTitle: The Lost Apothecary
Author: Sarah Penner
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages: 310
Length: 10h 29m
Narrator: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed THE LOST APOTHECARY. I loved that the story was written in three POVs, two from the past and one from present day. I thought it was an interesting look at how we interpret past events vs what really happened.

I liked both the past story and the present day one, but I thought the past one was a bit more interesting. I thought the idea of an apothecary dispensing poisons to women that wanted to exact revenge on the men who betrayed them was a really fun concept. It made for an interesting mystery.

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An Offer From A Gentleman

An Offer From A GentlemanTitle: An Offer from a Gentleman
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #3
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 358
Length: 12h 22m
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me
My Thoughts

AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN is my favorite of the Bridgerton series so far. I absolutely adored the Cinderella (and Ever After) retelling aspect of this one. I loved getting to know Benedict better as we don’t see or hear much from him in the previous two novels. I loved Sophie. She was the perfect stand-in for Cinderella. I especially loved the immediate connection she had with Benedict. Their banter and sexual tension was so much fun to read.

The edition I read had a second epilogue, which I enjoyed (not quite as much as the second epilogue for THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME, but much more than the one for THE DUKE AND I). I loved getting to see Posey’s happy ending as well as get a glimpse into Benedict’s and Sophie’s life together.

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Ariadne

AriadneTitle: Ariadne
Author: Jennifer Saint
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 308
Length: 11h 59m
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really love Greek Mythology even though I don’t remember most of the details I learned about each myth back in high school. I was excited to read ARIADNE because I also love retellings. However, I don’t really think it can be considered a retelling as it was just a written account of one version of Ariadne’s mythos. Retellings should put new spins on old myths or fairy tales.

Despite that ARIADNE isn’t a retelling, I still enjoyed reading it and relearning about her. The writing was interesting and kept me engaged. I wanted to know what was going to happen and I hoped the story would go a certain way. I also loved the inclusion of her sister Phaedra’s life outside of Crete. I now look forward to reading Jennifer Saint’s other books surrounding Greek mythology.

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The Viscount Who Loved Me

The Viscount Who Loved MeTitle: The Viscount Who Loved Me
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #2
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 354
Length: 12h 23m
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Duke and I, An Offer from a Gentleman
My Thoughts

I was worried that if I continued reading the Bridgerton series, I’d be disappointed because I wouldn’t love the characters as much as I loved Daphne and Simon. I needn’t have worried because I loved THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME just as much as, and in some ways better than, THE DUKE AND I.

I loved the enemies-to-lovers romance between Anthony and Kate. The bantering and sexual tension was so much fun from their very first meeting. I loved the fun swoon-worthy romance as well as the meatier aspects of the story–overcoming one’s fears, gaining confidence in oneself, and found family.

The edition I read had a second epilogue, which I really enjoyed. I loved the return to the pal mal (croquet) setting. I think it would’ve been great fun to be included in a game with the Bridgerton family.