Alyce Caswell - Author
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Book Reviews

Hell No

31/7/2021

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

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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.

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When It All Adds Up

30/7/2021

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

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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.

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Dissonant and Disgareeable

28/7/2021

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

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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.

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Sweetly Played in Tune

27/7/2021

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

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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?

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Still In Stitches

20/5/2021

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First Comes Scandal (Rokesby #4)
by Julia Quinn

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Georgiana Bridgerton's reputation is in tatters after she was kidnapped by suitor with a rather large debt. It falls to Nicholas Rokesby to rescue her - in the form of a marriage proposal, something he's rather reluctant to do. Georgie doesn't want him to pity her. But she doesn't have a choice. After years of being cordial friends, will they be able to see each other with new eyes?

I had a lot of fun reading this. Pretty much any scene that involved Cat-Head had me giggling in a most undignified fashion. And Freddie Oakes falling out of the tree - I just about cackled. I adored Georgie and Nicholas together, especially since they got to both experience intimacy for the first time - you just don't see that enough in historical romance novels. I also found the medical stuff quite interesting. And who wouldn't be delighted with those brief appearances by the young Bridgerton boys?

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    About

    Alyce Caswell, when she isn't buried in a book or drinking her way through a giant pot of tea, is a keen writer of science fiction and romance. She has published two novels and four novellas in her space opera family saga, The Galactic Pantheon Series.

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  • Home
  • Books
    • The Galactic Pantheon >
      • The Tortured Wind
      • The Twisted Vine
      • The Flickering Flame
      • The Shifting Ice
      • The Whispering Grass
      • The Creeping Moss
      • The Galactic Pantheon Novellas
      • The Adventures of Grace Pendergast, Galactic Reporter
    • The Shadow of the Gods
    • Dealing with the Demon
    • Love and Lockdown
    • The Eyes of Charon
    • Sweet Delights
  • Other Works
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact