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Welcome to Captivated Reading! I love books so much so that I started this blog 12 years ago to share my love of reading with others… Have a look around and enjoy!

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September Reviews

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Author: Karen Thornell

No Match for Love | ARC Review

Posted September 4, 2024 by Christine in 4/5, review / 0 Comments

No Match for Love | ARC Review

captivated_reading

If you LOVE discussing books--all different kinds

If you LOVE discussing books--all different kinds of books--please consider checking out Captivated Book Club! We're going to begin on October 1st with The Picture of Dorian Gray! Every month, members will get to have a voice in deciding what we'll be reading. Also, check out the link to see how to get a free book mark. :)

Another great one for you guys!! Review coming soo

Another great one for you guys!! Review coming soon! ❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.

Olivia Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency England, her best bet—according to society—is to marry well and secure a steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in convention. She’d prefer to follow in her deceased father’s footsteps and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.

Eager to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.

Lucas Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivia’s father, has also arrived at the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton Hall—the widow’s nephew—to appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest while covertly conducting her own assessment, he’s keen to renew the family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, he’s unprepared for the effect the refreshingly honest—and beautiful—Olivia has on him.

Yet all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.

@sarahladdauthor @thomasnelson @austenprose

#theclovertoncharade #saraheladd #historicalfiction #historicalromance #regencyromance #inspirationalfiction #newbooks #bookreview #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #bookrec #austenprosepr

This one was one of my most favorite recent reads!

This one was one of my most favorite recent reads! My review will be up in just a couple of days for this one!

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The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she’ll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family’s misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah’s hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

@roseannamwhite @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose

#christmasatsugarplummanor #roseannamwhite #holidayreading #historicalromance #victorianromance #inspirationalfiction #newbooks #bookreview #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #bookrec #austenprosepr

I’m SO excited to share this one with you!! And

I’m SO excited to share this one with you!! And my review will be coming THIS WEEK!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucas Berkeley has a secret—one he cannot risk anyone discovering. After all, a future marquess belongs in drawing rooms, not underground boxing circles. Yet with a painful past and a need to control every aspect of his life, it is his only outlet. And when his brother begins to court the one woman who could ruin everything, Lucas needs the secret diversion more than ever.

Lydia Faraday is exhausted from living a life in which she has no say. When her taciturn guardian drags her to London intent on marrying her off, she determines to thwart his plans. If she is to have freedom in any aspect of her existence, it ought to be with whom she marries. And when a solicitor turns up with new information, she thinks that just might be possible. Or it may complicate her future further.

When Lucas and Lydia become entangled in a dangerous scheme, they cannot help but become closer, even as the obstacles between them grow. The last thing either is looking for is love. But their hearts have different plans.

@authorkarenthornell @wholesomeromance

#nomatchforlove #karenthornell #historicalfiction #historicalromance #inspirationalfiction #newbooks #bookreview #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #bookrec #austenprosepr

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for one of the most-watched series on Netflix) comes the highly anticipated sequel to her dark Irish mafia romance, Devil of Dublin.

The Devil Himself by author.bb.easton is now LIVE!

Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

https://mybook.to/thedevilhimself

Audible: https://bit.ly/3WLkbUY

Narrated by: Eric Nolan, Elizabeth Klette, Odette O’Beirne, & Laurence Killen

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4bazyMI

The Devil Himself is a continuation of Devil of Dublin and is not intended to be read as a standalone.

Devil of Dublin is on sale for just 99¢!

Download your copy today!

https://mybook.to/devilofdublin

#bbeaston #thedevilhimself #enemiestolovers #mafia #fatedmates #valentineprlm @valentine_pr_

I am currently reading... The Devil Himself by BB

I am currently reading...
The Devil Himself by BB Easton, releasing on August 29, 2024!

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for one of the most-watched series on Netflix) comes the highly anticipated sequel to her dark Irish mafia romance, Devil of Dublin.

Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://mybook.to/thedevilhimself
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4bazyMI

#bbeaston #thedevilhimself #devilofdublin #DarkRomance #NewAdultRomance #RomanticSuspense #Angsty #AntiHero #EnemiestoLovers #FatedMates #FirstLove #ForbiddenLove #ForcedProximity #FoundFamily #HeroineinDanger #Mafia #MainCharacterinPeril #Military #NewAdultRomance #OntheRun #OneBed #Protector #Redemption #ReturningtoHometown #Revenge #RomanticSuspense #SoulMate #StarCrossedLovers #StrandedTogether #Suspense #TorturedLead #TouchHerandDie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was the perfect reg

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the perfect regency read for me! I needed this!

Two romantic stories–both special in their right. And they checked off all my boxes.
I also really loved the friendship between Leonora and Charlotte. I really loved that I was transported into the amazing regency era once again. Where romance–and sometimes intrigue–presides. The characters were charming and fun to read about!

This was sweet, clean, charming, and fun! And if you enjoy Jane Austen, you’ll enjoy this one!

#bookreview #books #book #reading #bookstagram #romance #bookblogger #bookblog #boldwoodbloggers #aladysfortune

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was a pull-at-

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a pull-at-your-heartstrings kind of read. With themes of domestic violence, this may not be an easy read for some.
Jane, the main character, escapes her home, after her father physically hurts her one night. After years of experiencing her mother being hit, he finally hits her in a fit of rage. It didn’t really stop there, however, as he also used mental abuse tactics to hurt her.
So she leaves at 18. She leaves her home, her friends, and Nic–her kind of boyfriend, but definite best friend.

Fast-forward ten years later and Jane’s dad has died and Jane finds herself in the same exact predicament–in a relationship with an abuser. Only she’s going to do what her mother was never able to do and leave him. So she gets him to let her go home to see her mom after her dad’s passing and plans her escape.

This was oftentimes a really difficult book to read because Jane was just so sad and stuck in her life. Also seeing her mom and how broken she was after years of abuse was tough.
The only light was Jane’s daughter… and her getting reacquainted with Nic.

Even though this was difficult to read sometimes, the relationship between Jane and Nic definitely helped ease some of that. It was nice getting to see them reconnect since all of their previous love story is told in the past tense–and not much of it.

The writing in this one was superb. I felt Jane’s heartache and desperation as she sought an out the only way she knew how.

Definitely worth the read–just be prepared for some difficult scenes.

#bookreview #books #book #reading #bookstagram #chicklit #romance #bookblogger #bookblog

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 amazing stars!! If you

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 amazing stars!!

If you've read Emma (or if you haven't) you NEED to read this book! It kept SO well to the original source material that I got lost in the story and the characters. It felt seamless. The author definitely knows Emma, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Woodhouse, and all the other fabulous characters from Austen's Emma.
As if Kelly's incredible accuracy wasn't enough--on top of that, this story was the perfect blend of humor, mystery, and fun.
I always love a good whodunnit--and Murder in Highbury did not disappoint.
Who would want Mrs. Elton dead? Well, that's what Emma is resolved to find out. Much to Mr. Knightley's dismay. She uses her charm, wit, and smarts to solve this village mystery.
I had no idea who the villain was until very close to the end. So, it wasn't at all predictable.
I very much hope to read more from this author. And if that includes more Emma Knightley solving mysteries--sign me up!
Thank you to Kensington Books for the beautiful advanced copy!

#murderinhighbiry #anemmaknightleymystery #vanessakelly #historicalmystery #cozymystery #regencymystery #austenesquefiction #janeausten #jaff #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #austenprosepr

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was honestly the cu

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was honestly the cutest love story that I’ve read in a while. A second-chance romance that gives the word “yearning” a whole new meaning.

Both Hope and Adrian are not over each other. And it’s evident from page one. This is my favorite kind of second-chance. Because instead of having to fall back in love, they just have to figure out how to navigate pride, fear of rejection, and past hurts.

Interjected with some pretty humorous moments along with some sweet loving scenes, Second Tide’s the Charm warmed my heart and made me fall in love with this amazing couple.

Second Tide’s the Charm releases August 6th.

#bookreview #books #book #reading #bookstagram #chicklit #romance #bookblogger #bookblog

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rainbow Rowell is so gre

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rainbow Rowell is so great at writing super-realistic characters. Her characters are flawed but in the absolute best way.

In this story, Shiloh, Cary and Mikey are best friends in high school. They’re quirky, complex, and maybe slightly codependent on each other; well, that’s more the case for Shiloh and Cary.

These two are so close, yet… they aren’t together. And there’s no clear indication as of why other than they don’t want to ruin their close friendship.

Slow Dance is exactly as its name suggests; a slow dance between Shiloh and Cary. This story spans over a decade as they navigate college, the military, marriages, children, and finally coming back to each other.

Shiloh is probably one of my favorite characters to read because she is written with little odd intricacies that bring the character to life. I really loved reading about these characters and their journey back to each other. It was unique and refreshing.

Slow Dance comes out July 30th.

#bookreview #books #book #reading #bookstagram #chicklit #romance #bookblogger #bookblog

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Heather Webber is–an

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Heather Webber is–and has been for a while–one of my absolute favorite, go-to authors. And for good reason.

As a lover of romance, I can say that her books aren’t overly-romantic. That should speak to how much they captivate me. Webber doesn’t need all the romance for her stories to hold my attention.

A Certain Kind of Starlight is told from the viewpoints of Tessa Jane and Addie; estranged sisters who have their love of their quirky Aunt Bean in common. Growing up, they weren’t close because Tessa Jane was the result of an affair between their shared father, and Tessa Jane’s mother, Henrietta.

While there’s not a ton of romance in this, it is a love story. Just a love story between sisters, between aunt and nieces, mothers and daughters, and even friends.

As with Webber’s other novels, she uses magical realism–usually in the form of magic animals–to help tell this story. And I’m so in love with her style.

Every part of this story was beautiful… And just know that with Webber, there’s always a happy ending–albeit sometimes bittersweet–there’s beauty found in the ordinary, and true appreciation of what it means to be family.

I loved this book to pieces. I haven’t read a book by Heather Webber that wasn’t just simply… AMAZING.

A Certain Kind of Starlight comes out July 23rd.

#bookreview #books #book #reading #bookstagram #chicklit #romance #bookblogger #bookblog

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