Book Reviewsanti-Semitism / audiobook / baronet / bisexual characters / England / Gothic / governess / Jane Eyre / Jewish heroine / Judaism / LGBTQIA+ / love triangles / mental health / Portugal / prisoners / PTSD / pyrophobia / Regency / Retelling / romantic-elements / Suspense2 Comments
Trigger warnings: Dear Rose Lerner, I stopped listening to your new audiobook, an Audible Original titled The Wife in the Attic, at 74% for reasons detailed below. It pains me to say this, not only because I’ve enjoyed some of your previous books but because I like you and because ... more >
A- Reviews / Book Reviews1960s / Diary / England / family relationships / First-Person / fish-out-of-water / marriage / Portugal3 Comments
This is the diary of an English girl who falls in love with an eligible young Portuguese, Afonso. The bride recounts, vividly and hilariously, her and her Mother’s plans for an English country wedding, how they dealt with Uncle George (The Head Of The Family), and their success in making ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews / C- Reviews1980s / enemies to lovers / England / nurse / Portugal6 Comments
Perhaps her dream of love was only a dream “Working nights in a London hospital is no life for a young girl!” Her mother hadn’t actually said it, but Judith knew she was thinking it.In a way, Judith agreed, but what else could she do? Marry Nigel? No, she didn’t ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviews1970s / child heroine / England / Portugal / second chance at love2 Comments
At Edmund Brooke’s insistence, his ten-year-old daughter, Vitorina, leaves the closed world of her old and strait-laced great-aunts and their Portuguese mansion—complete with chapel—and journeys to a boarding school in England. Edmund readily accepts the offer of a golfing acquaintance to act as chaperone for Tory. Once on the train, ... more >
B Reviews / Book ReviewsEngland / Gothic / Historical / marriage-of-convenience / politicians / Portugal / Regency9 Comments
Camilla Forest has fallen upon hard times since fleeing France and the tyrannical rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. When her job as a governess ends in disaster, Camilla finds herself penniless and alone, stranded on a muddy roadside. A chance encounter with the notoriously aloof Lord Leominster presents Camilla with an ... more >
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads1960s / ensemble / family relationships / London / Older Man/Younger Woman / Portugal8 Comments
Edmund Forth, a handsome young man in his mid-thirties (though admittedly a bit stogy and sober for his years) is engaged to the beautiful but selfish Angela Wilde. His world seems perfect until lovely Fran Nash comes riding into his life on the back of a Portuguese donkey. Fran’s sunny ... more >