Welcome to Litsy!

My book club read book three in The Palace of Rogues series, and I just HAD to order the first two books to see how it all began.

I loved this story about two women left penniless after the death of the same man. One was his wife, the other was his mistress (gasp)!

They take a liking to each other, pool their resources, and vow to never have to depend on a man again.

I love Long's writing style and sense of humor.

Can't wait to start book 2

I had to work on Independent Bookstore Day so I sent my husband in to enter me in a raffle and pick up the books I had on hold.

Bless his heart.

Look at those titles/covers! 😂

This one didn't quite come together for me. Pros: the dialogue had sparks, and the set up of a widow and her husband's ex-mistress teaming up to run a boarding house was compelling. Cons: the hero was a cop trying to stamp out cigar smugglers, which I wasn't feeling at the moment, and the heroine's perspective felt overwritten at times. Overall a 7/10.

This was a fun and refreshing read. A delightful romance with likable characters and a hint of mystery. 😊

Book 3 done for #24b4Monday. This book was an absolute delight. A refreshing period #romantsy romp where our female protagonist is not the wallflower virgin but the widow so frequently maligned in the genre. The male protagonist isn‘t gentry but a Captain on a case. Very fun with a bit of mystery thrown in. Can‘t wait to read book 2!
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65 @jb72

This was a lovely, charming, entertaining romance where a widow who is left destitute opens a boarding house... with an unexpected business partner. And when a Captain of the King's blockade stays undercover in search of a smuggling ring, sparks, of course, fly!

I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
4.5❤️

#romantsy

I loved the idea of a man‘s widow and mistress working together to start a boarding house when he dies in debt and leaves them penniless. Unfortunately, the premise is the best part. I found the romance unconvincing and the two leads so invested in their traditional gender roles that I doubt this author and I will get along. Even the side plot of a smuggling ring mystery was childish.

Please give me feminist historical romance suggestions! #help

Next up, a quick re-read of a 5⭐️ that I read about a month ago. I‘ve got a book club discussion about it on Thursday so I want to refresh my memory and highlight some favorite passages. It‘s always a pleasure to re-visit this author‘s stories. ❤️

There were so many good things about this book (and JAL‘s books in general). Her writing seems effortless as she literally crafts characters who become so real and dear that I never want to finish their stories. She is my very favorite historical romance author because I laugh out loud at her humor, feel deeply for her characters and become lost in her wonderful love stories. All the stars...5/5⭐️ Can‘t wait for next in series this fall! #romantsy

I‘m taking a break from the ARCs I‘m working my way through, to read one I purchased simply for the fact that I‘m 110% sure that I‘ll ❤️ it. This author has never disappointed me, either in historical or contemporary romance. And I‘m beyond thrilled that she‘s making a return to historicals with this first in a new series. I plan to savor this one! 😊😍
#romantsy

My plan for this afternoon.

This week‘s #libraryhaul, this should get me through Sunday‘s snowstorm 💕

Mature and nuanced romance. It‘s the story of a woman who is determined to be honest with herself, as well as others. Female friendships are well handled. The protagonists are respectful of each other as they navigate the historical setting. #romantsy