Blog Archives - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

The Eyes Have It

31/7/2021

The Dishonoured Viscount (Diamonds in the Rough #8)
by Sophie Barnes

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Marcus was stripped of his title and place in society because of his father, but he hasn't lain idle - he dedicated himself to becoming one of England's best eye doctors. Lady Louise is desperate for a more permanent solution to her recurring blindness. A chance encounter with Marcus gives her hope that this is possible - but her family doesn't approve of him fixing her eyesight, let alone courting her...

Sophie Barnes is fast becoming my favourite historical romance author. I'd been growing a little weary of the same old stories from others, but Barnes has a wonderful way of putting a new spin on things. The ophthalmology aspect of the story was fascinating! And I do like seeing scandal being presented as a real obstacle, not something that gets magically brushed away. Louise and Marcus were both so loveable that I'm already missing them.

Hell No

31/7/2021

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy (Smythe-Smith Quartet #4)
by Julia Quinn

Sir Richard Kenworthy needs a wife ASAP and wants to target someone who's desperate, overlooked, and not a terrible companion in the long run. He sets his eyes on Iris Smythe–Smith during one of those awful musicales and proceeds with his plan to ruin her reputation. He doesn't expect to actually start feeling anything for his victim. Iris must survive her husband's plans for her.

You'll notice that what I've just summarised doesn't sound like a romance novel. Honestly, this book should be called The Red Flags of Sir Richard Kenworthy, because he sure dropped a lot of them. Holy abusive husband, Batman! Iris and her sisters-in-law were actually great characters and I'd have liked to read this book about them, with no Richard in sight. But unfortunately Richard was in this an awful lot -and he was so disturbing that I nearly DNFed multiple times. Give this one a miss.

When It All Adds Up

30/7/2021

The Sum of All Kisses (Smythe-Smith Quartet #3)
by Julia Quinn

Hugh Prentice regrets the duel that injured him and sent a good man on the run. Sarah Pleinsworth still blames him for the scandal that rocked her family and isn't shy about letting him know it. Forced to spend time together during a fortnight of weddings, they can't help but banter their way into friendship...or more. But Hugh's secret could be their undoing.

I'll be honest. The villain of the piece was a bit OTT to be believable, but I just didn't care because I enjoyed reading this so much. Banter is one of my favourite things in romance novels and The Sum of All Kisses certainly delivered on that score. However, the best part of this book was undoubtedly Sarah. She grew as a character and admitted her faults. She took on the Big Bad and got shit done. And she deservedly claimed her HEA.

Dissonant and Disgareeable

28/7/2021

A Night Like This (Smythe-Smith Quartet #2)
by Julia Quinn

Daniel Smythe-Smith only returned from exile in Italy because his enemy promised that he would be safe in London. But someone seems to be after him - and he won't let them endanger Anne Wynter, a governess with whom he feels an instant connection. Anne, however, isn't what she appears to be. And she has an enemy of her own, one that has chased her for years.

Daniel was so incredibly unlikeable that, early on, I was fantasising about the poor review I would give this book. But I did like Anne and her charges - there were quite a few entertaining bits. The climax was very exciting too and nabbed the last amused smile out of me. Back to Daniel, though. I don't think he was mature enough for Anne and he irritated me in too many scenes to count. Unfortunately, his character ruined any enjoyment I had while reading this book.

Sweetly Played in Tune

27/7/2021

Just Like Heaven (Smythe-Smith Quartet #1)
by Julia Quinn

The closest Honoria Smythe-Smith (yes, of <i>those</i> Smythe-Smiths) has come to romance is digging a hole in an attempt to fall convincingly in front of Gregory Bridgerton - but in the process she managed to injure Marcus Holroyd, a man she's known since childhood (and her brother's best friend!). Marcus is in need of care, that's plain, but now he realises he was also in need of something else...

This was a very cute story right from the start. Cute, but a little same-y. I thought the book was going to bumble along in that same vein, but happily things got more interesting when Honoria's mother appeared and took charge for a bit. Honoria and Marcus were both as clueless as each other and I adored watching them figure themselves out. And then of course there was that wonderful climax - at one of the musicales, where else?

Aftershocks and After Scot

25/7/2021

Seduced by the Scot (The Perks of Being an Heiress #3)
by Jillian Eaton

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Brynne Weston fell in love with Lord Lachlan Campbell beneath the stars when she was fourteen. More than a decade later, he returns to throw her life into chaos. He's not just the man she unwisely gave her heart to - he's also her husband! Brynne wants her secret dealt with. Legally. But Lachlan means to be with his wife again. Can Brynne forgive him, even after all that happened between them?

It can be tricky to juggle two timelines, but Eaton did it superbly here. This was certainly one of the things that made it very easy to enjoy Seduced by the Scot - the other was that it's unusual for the heroine and hero to already be married. I quite liked the change! I have always wondered what happened next after all those romantic dashes up to Gretna Green. Is love enough to see a hasty marriage through? So I was pleased to see a book dealing with that. However, I was unimpressed with the random (mercifully brief) POV switches to two different characters, who really had no bearing on the plot.

Unmasked

23/7/2021

Spinster Sister (Lawless Ladies #1)
by Elise Marion

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Helena Montgomery has been orphaned, left penniless, and now has to somehow give her younger sister a Season. Only a good marriage will save them now. Lord Sebastian Radcliffe seems like an excellent suitor for her sister - if only Helena didn't feel sparks in his presence! And how will he respond once he knows Helena has become a highwayman in order to support her family?

I loved the premise. I loved Helena. I LOVED this book. It made going to bed at a decent time completely impossible and I have no regrets! A plus-sized heroine...diverse characters who aren't just servants...steamy scenes...a deadly secret. This ticked every box for me. It's also on the shorter side for historical romance, which I appreciated (otherwise I'd have been awake past midnight lol) but you don't feel like you're missing anything. An excellent first book of what looks to be an excellent series.

Angers leads to...a bad review!

21/7/2021

The Rising Storm (The High Republic)
by Cavan Scott

The Great Disaster is over, but the Nihil pirates still pose a grave threat to the Republic. The Chancellor is determined to continue with her great works. The Republic Fair will unite everyone, bring them all together...in one location where they can present a giant target for the Nihil. Meanwhile, the Drengir are causing problems.

Ooh boy. There are still too many characters - I've found a couple I do care about at least. The plot was more coherent than in Light of the Jedi, but too much space was devoted to another "disaster" and only a fraction of it to the Jedi going after the supposed villains. That was disappointing. And I honestly think that Marchion Ro and the Nihil, compared to the Drengir, just aren't that interesting. It's...an odd choice, to not use the better villain in the main storyline. I understand the multiplatform approach, but you've got serious problems when the supporting YA novels and comics are of a much higher standard than the adult books...

(I also read this during the same week that I was finishing up Scott's Dooku audio drama, which also had flaws I couldn't overlook...mostly he devotes too much time to scenes that don't add anything to the plot. I guess his work just isn't for me.)

Love's Labour's Won

19/7/2021

Hit Me with Your Best Scot (Wild Wicked Highlanders #3)
by Suzanne Enoch

Coll MacTaggert needs to be wed within weeks or risk losing the funding for his home - and he has his sights set on Persephone Jones, an actress (after all, his mother said he must marry an "Englishwoman", not a Lady!). Persephone is used to admirers. But someone is trying to kill her and Coll makes her feel safe in a way that no else ever has. Hopefully, he won't discover her secret...

I really thought that the previous book of the two would be my favourite in the series, but I was wrong! I loved Hit Me with Your Best Scot (I will never get tired of these punny titles!). The Shakespearian theme worked really well here and Persephone was such a wonderful character - I will admit that I am biased towards experienced heroines in historical romances, because I find them much more interesting that the bevy of virginal ones. I think I need to try more Suzanne Enoch titles.

Know When to Hold 'Em

18/7/2021

Scot Under the Covers (Wild Wicked Highlanders #20
by Suzanna Enoch

Miranda Harris has always disliked gamblers but now she detests them - for her brother is now so deeply in debt that he has traded her to a forceful suitor in order to save himself. Aden MacTaggert isn't just a gambler; he's one of those Highlanders. Miranda doesn't have many options. She doesn't expect much help from him - and she certainly doesn't expect him to fall for her.

Ooh I loved this one. I haven't seen a villain written this well in a historical romance novel since...well, ever! I really enjoyed seeing how Aden and Miranda dealt with him. Scot Under the Covers doesn't suffer from the setup that dragged down the first half of its predecessor and will definitely hit the spot if you're a little tired of the usual shenanigans (nothing wrong with those books; sometimes you just want a different flavour!).