PinkcowlandReads

A Duke for Diana A Designing Debutants Novel, Book 1 by Sabrina Jeffries ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 This new series form Sabrina Jeffries sets up with Lady Diana and her two sisters playing the wallflowers at a ball after their parents extravagances have left them barely received.to entertain themselves they critique the ball and expand upon their own ideas for throwing a proper crush of a ball… overheard by a newcomer to the tin, they are approached with the idea of helping her set herself up in the ton and plan her own party… thus Elegant Occasions is born and the Harper sisters have themselves a business! This was such a fun premise to set up a series around. Each of the sisters have their own specialty they bring to the business, Diana knows fashion, Eliza specializes in music and Verity knows all things food! Flash forward a few years, and Elegant locations is a huge hit! Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse and the newly minted Duke of Greenwood needs to introduce his sister to society and

Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky 🎧Audiobook narrated by Mark Sanderlin ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 After twenty-something Wren Roland celebrates his birthday a little too hard, he gets morose thinking about all the kisses that never were (he is still awaiting his first kiss)… and wakes up to find that he drunk emailed 4 people he had almost kiss experiences in the past… This is the set up for our twenty-something  virgin and his 4 almost kiss situations… now at this point I had thought that the love interest of the story would be his roommate, but I was wrong. I also thought that this book would take us through exploring his relationships with all past near kiss companions… wrong again. After this, I was thrown for a look as we amp up the importance of Wren’s summer job running the local drive-in and his attempts to keep the business afloat. This also forces one of the near kiss finds back into Wren’s life as he takes on an internship for the drive-in as their social media person. And thi

The Favor by Nora Murphy ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 This is one of those books that sits with you long after reading! Leah and McKenna don’t know each other, but a happen chance sighting of a kindred soul set these two on a course that could ruin their lives or be their making! This book appears to be loosely based on the classic Strangers on a Train, but in this instance we have two women privately suppering from spousal abuse step up and help each other.  This was an emotionally intense read dealing with domestic abuse, both physical and emotional (gaslighting) and substance abuse. Author Nora Murphy using these elements to illustrate that these issues can effect all walks of life and appearances are not what they seem. This book had me compelled and on the edge of my seat the entire read and even afterwards I was still reeling! An excellent debut and great thriller! The Favor by Nora Murphy is scheduled to release May 31st, 2022. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from S

A Daring Pursuit Ruthless Rivals, Book #2 by Kate Bateman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 The Ruthless Rivals series is back with another couple from this regency version of the Montagues and Capulets! The Montgomery and Davies, though now connected through marriage, are still upholding their long standing feud, but they remain cordial as the new couple (from the last book) attempt to unite the families.    In steps Carys Davies with her outrageous and brazen ways as she attempts to avoid matrimony at all costs… while family rival Tristan Montgomery is on the hunt for a proper wife. Once Tristan discovers Carys’ secret that she’s unchaste, they decide to set their family animosity and mutual dislike aside and surrender to the explosive passion between them … just for a week! Ooooh boy, there is nothing like a family rivalry to create such steamy passions! This was such a fun story that fully revolves around these characters without any big mystery or side adventure to distract from these two! 

Dukes Do It Better Misfits of Mayfair, Book 3 by Bethany Bennett ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 After a series of bad decisions leaves Lady Emma “widowed” in a sea side town with her young son, when a one-nigh stand leaves her on the precipice of a future she never dreamed possible! Dukes Do It Better picks up after the previous book and is thouroughly intwined in the secrets that were revealed with in West End Earl. This one feels like a continuation of that book, much more intertwined that the first two in the series. I really enjoyed how fate seemed to bring these characters, Lady Emma and the Duke of Trenton together.The one-night stand and the further acquaintance and other connections made for a fun ”small world” situation. One night was definitely not enough for these two, they were a steamy pairing and the text reflects it! Lady Emma is a mother and sometimes the addition o f children in romance can feel like an after thought. This was not the case and Alton was a sweet addition to the st

A Scot is Not Enough A Scottish Treasures Novel, Book #2 by Gina Conkle ⭐⭐⭐/5 I had felt neutral after reading the first book and wanted to continue And to see Cecelia’s story. That character really stood out in the first book. Interestingly enough, Cecelia story was very centred on herself. Previously there was a group of women working on a singular mission this time around we have Cecelia working on a personal mission also for the Jacobite cause. I found I missed the group dynamic captured in the first book which was one of my favourite parts of the story. The story about Cecelia‘s hunt for a missing dagger was very individualized for her and lacked the group focus. As for our MMC, Alec he’s been tasked to spy on Cecilia, not the best way to start a relationship. I found it tedious that as a reader you could tell he quickly switch sides and joined Cecelia‘s team, but never blatantly spoke that to her to let her know he wouldn’t bring information against her to his boss.

All the Duke I Need  Desperately Seeking Duke #3 by Caroline Linden ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 This is the third book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series, and readers of the series know that it’s based on a Duchess’s search for the heir apparent to her ailing son, the Duke. Each book has followed one if the potential heirs as they learn of their status and find love. I loved how this story features the last and elusive heir, William, right under the Duchess’s nose, as he takes on a posit as the Duke’s steward! This turn of events allowed for plenty of behind the scenes time with the Duchess and the Duke, who we have only had a small acquaintance with thus far! In the the vein, our heroine is none other than the beloved Duchess’s companion and honorary daughter of the house, Phillipa! This was a another circumstance where we get a lot of the blanks from past books filled in. Lastly, I just want to say how much I love the blending of the common/ working man with the the aristocratic char

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall 🎧Narrated by Kay Eluvian ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 This epic queer historical romance blew me away. From lost friends reuniting, the finding of soulmates to the breaking free of personal and societal chains, this story had it all.  Viola Carroll has never felt like herself. She has put forth a facade of the happy-go-lucky aristocrat, but that person was not her. When a battle at Waterloo leaves her on the brink of death and she is rehabilitated by locals, she takes this opportunity as her chrysalis moment to emerge as Viola Carroll, her true self. Now a new person she has given up her title to her brother and everything else from her former life, even her best friend, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. But unrest in the ducal household requires Viola’s sister-in-law Lady Marleigh, whom she is now companion to in her new life, to travel to the Gracewood seat. Viola must accompany her and face her past and the friend she left behind. Gracewood lost the be

The Roguish Baron Diamonds In The Rough, Book 9 by Sophie Barnes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 This was a real treat! I had assumed that the Diamonds In The Rough series ended after book 8, so yeah! Bonus! Also, Sophie Barnes is one of my favourite novella writers. She can hook you in quick and she delivers a great romance in a tiny package! Who doesn’t love a bitesize treat!?! Sophia is a foundling that was taken in by the village vicar and his family. As a child her and her adoptive brother become close with the local gentry children, Baron Hawathorn and his two sisters… but childhood friendships don’t easily adapt to adult roles. Sophia finds herself in love with Baron Hawathorn, even though their positions make this a impossibility. In order to avoid Sophia and her feelings, Hawthorne leaves his family estate and has started away for many years. Now that his sisters need to find husbands, he has been summoned home to assist in hosting a house party for potential husbands and is shocked to fi

Starry-Eyed Love Spark House, Book 2 by Helena Hunting 🎧Narrated by Jason Clarke; Stella Bloom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 I could not put this down! We are back with the sisters from Spark House as they continue to try to expand and improve their family run event hotel. Middle Spark sister, London is the financial guru fro Spark house, even though meeting with new clients and the black and white finance details are not her love, she’d much rather let her creative juices flow. She has stepped up to take this role in the family. So when she’s in the middle of a big presentation for a new partnership for Spark House and the man the shot down a few months back comes into her already stressful meeting, she is thrown for a loop! Turns out it’s Jackson Trent, he owns this enterprise and he’s a pretty big deal. Impressed by London’s presentation for Spark House and still intrigued by her, Jackson takes a personal interest in their business relationship… This had the makings of your typical bi

Blame it on the Brontës by Annie Soreno 🎧 Narrated by Katie Schorr ⭐⭐⭐ /5 English professor Athena Murphy is back in her hometown after an incident at work puts her career on the line. She needs to write a book- and a good one, if she wants to salvage her job! So why not unmask the mysterious writing creating erotic retellings of classic lit, whom also is supposedly living in her hometown! In order to infiltrate the locals, Athena decides to take a job at the cafe… even though it’s now owned and run by her her ex-boyfriend Thorne! Athena is here for business… nothing is going to make her try again with Thorne… even if he’s finally channeling the Heathcliff/ Rochester vibes she’s always dreamed of! I enjoyed the mystery elements and hints of Brontë-isms included in the story. Thorne was a good hero with a good mix of brooding but also a good, solid guy. As for Athena, she didn’t capture me as much. She was too insulated in her perspective. She played the poor me card a

All Fired Up by Dylan Newton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 The first rule of one night stands is to make sure you aren’t connected to them and bound to se them at future events…  Well, Imani definitely didn’t heed this when she ended up having a two night stand with her best friends’ brother-in-law, Zander on her wedding weekend!  So, it’s no surprise a year later when she arrives back in that small town that she is forced into the company of Zander at every turn! Since, Zander hadn’t forgotten Imani after she ghosted him, it’s no wonder she feels like he is everywhere she turns, he’s not going to let her get away easily this time! This was a great second chance romance! Imani and Zander have an amazing weekend together, but due to their differing locations and lifestyles nothing came of it… until she comes back to the small town for the summer. She’s there for her soon to deliver pregnant friend and take care of her grandmother who will have a surgery done. Imani plans on keeping to her plan an

Never a Duke Rogues to Riches #7 by Grace Burrowes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 The Wentworth family sage concludes and comes full circle with the final story and HEA for a series favourite, adopted Wentworth, Ned! We met Ned in the first book when he was in Newgate with Family patriarch, Quinn Wentworth. He was a scrap of a boy then, but he stole my heart from the get-go and has been a favourite reoccurring character ever since! I loved getting to see him grow up and come into his own man, a man as worthy and needed as any other of the Wentworth men.  In Never a Duke, Ned is now managing the family bank and settled in his role in the family, but he still feels like an outsider at times. Then comes Rosalind and he is finally seen for his whole self as never before! Rosalind has asked Ned to help her find her missing lady companions… there have been two that have disappeared and no one has given a care about their sudden disappearance… that is until she asks a former boy of the streets, Mr. Ned

Impossible The Pheonix Club, Book 5 by Darcy Burke ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 The Phoenix Club? More like the Matchmakers Club! This clubs matchmaking prowess would rival that of the tons top matchmakers! In this book the club’s owner sends his very talented bookkeeper to his reclusive friends estate to help sort out his books and get his estate profitable again. Ada Treadway brings with bookkeeping and managing skills, along with her sunny personality along as she battles Maximillian Hunt, Marquess of Warfield  every step of the way to make his estate solvent. Max is a grump and content to sit and watch his estate and his family legacy disappear. After he retuned from the war injured to find both his father and elder brother deceased, he has nothing but content for the title and estate that never should have been his. This grumpy/ sunshine or beauty and the beast pairing worked beautifully as Ada’s cheer wears at Max and he slowly accepts the changes and improvements she initiates. But the