Summer is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston

This was another refreshing, light hearted romance from the up and coming Jennifer McQuiston!  While I did not like it quite as much as her debut, What Happens in Scotland, I really loved that this was set in Brighton and the entire aspect of swimming.  Our heroine, Caroline, grew up in Brighton swimming in a secluded cove and when she rescues a man one day, her heart is lost to him forever.  Daniel has demons that he keeps locked up tight and feels he is not good enough for the willful, eccentric Caroline so he pushes her away, even though it pains him.

While this book was enjoyable, I did feel like it all moved just a bit too slow.  There is plenty of simmering tension between Caroline and Daniel but I really just wanted to smack Daniel upside the head and tell him to move on from his grief to this wonderful woman waiting for him.  I really enjoyed the addition of Caroline's sister, Penelope and hope to see her get her own happily ever after!  What makes this story stand out is the attention to detail regarding swimming in this era and that makes this book a real treat. Delightful and charming, this is a story about acceptance and finding yourself stronger with a partner.  I eagerly look forward to more even though this one lacked a bit for me.

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Back cover blurb from Goodreads:

His heart is unavailable.

Luckily, her interest lies in the rest of him…

Though she was just a girl when they first met, Caroline Tolbertson’s infatuation with David Cameron remains undimmed. Now fate has brought the handsome Scotsman back to Brighton for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. Soon, Caroline will have to choose a husband, but for now she is free to indulge her curiosity in things of a passionate nature. 

That is, if David will agree to teach her.

Past mistakes have convinced David he’ll make a terrible husband, though he’ll gladly help the unconventional Caroline find a suitor. Unfortunately, she has something more scandalous in mind. As the contenders for her hand begin to line up, her future seems assured…provided David can do the honorable thing and let them have her. 

When a spirited young woman is determined to break Society’s rules, all a gentleman can do is lend a hand…or more.

What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston

What a delightfully enjoyable debut!  If you enjoy the lighter fare in your romance, with wit, charm, and sizzle Jennifer McQuiston has done a wonderful job with her debut!  When Lady Georgette Thorold, who acts a proper lady at all times, wakes up to a mysterious man in an unknown inn she knows something terribly wrong has happened!  Smacking the large, very attractive, man on the head with the chamber pot, she escapes and learns the awful truth...that man is her husband.  As more and more pieces are uncovered about that wild night, she knows she needs to find James McKenzie and get this marriage annulled as she will never be under a mans control again after her disastrous first marriage.  When she finally meets up with James again she faces a new problem though.  James thinks her a thief and a liar and together they strive to uncover the truth as both of their memories are a bit foggy from that night.  Will this unlikely couple make this sham of a marriage real?

This is my favorite type of book..light, with just a touch of drama, an enjoyable, fun romance.  Georgette is a strong, confident woman that is thankful to finally be free of any man but when she finds herself tied to this burly Scotsman, she has to rethink what has happened.  James brings out a whole new side to her... opinionated and bold and he finds himself drawn to both sides of her.  James is proud and after a falling out with his family, he has striven to put his shameful past behind him and make a name for himself as a solicitor.  I loved how Georgette was able to help him mend the fences with his family.  Watching this unlikely couple find true love together was a joy to read and even though it happened all over the span of one day, it worked for me.  A truly wonderful debut and a new author that I am looking forward to more from soon!  4 solid stars

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss    

New Covers

Quite a few great new covers shared recently. . .

What a lovely cover for a debut (and it has a sexy stepback, bonus!).  What Happens in Scotland is a debut from Jennifer McQuiston and since Sarah MacLean is endorsing it on the cover, you know I will be picking it up!  Look for this one February 26th.

I was excited to see this cover since I knew it would be red based on the title and what loveliness it is!  Shana Galen is one of my favorite authors and If You Give a Rake a Ruby is book two in her Jewels of the Ton series and I am eagerly awaiting its March 1st release!

Tiffany Clare has had gorgeous covers for all her books and Midnight Temptations with a Forbidden Lord is no exception!   A very lovely blue just a pop of purple!  This will be book two in her new series, Dangerous Rogues and should hit shelves April 30th.

The Prince's Bride will wrap up Julianne MacLeans The Royal Trilogy and it fits in beautifully with the previous covers.  I enjoyed the first book in this series so I am looking forward to this one when it releases April 30th as well.

Seduced by a Pirate is an ebook companion to The Ugly Duchess featuring Sir Griffin Barry.  Look for it Oct 30th and it is only 99 cents!  Woot!

Sally MacKenzie continues her Duchess of Love series with Surprising Lord Jack.  The cover fits in great with the previous titles but shoes featured so prominently always throw me.  They always look to modern to me, even though they are right.  Oh well, lol!  Love the dog peeking out.  This was is set for release March 4th.

Sarah MacLean shared her stepback for One Good Earl Deserves a Lover this week!  Love.  Love that her spectacles are still there.  Still waiting for it to be Jan 29th. . .

I'm not quite sure how they keep coming up with such lovely covers for Grace Burrowes Windham series!  Lady Eve's Indiscretion is book seven and should arrive February 1st.

I don't have any info about this title yet but I really like the simple holiday cover.  I recognize two of the names on here, Sophie Barnes and Karen Erickson, but the others are new to me and shorts stories are always a great introduction to new authors.  Five Golden Rings will be out as an ebook (and probably in print later I'm guessing) Dec 11th.

I have yet to read anything by Karen Ranney but The Lass Wore Black has captured my interest.  First I love the black and pink of the cover but she posted the full back cover copy on her site here and the blurb sounds good!  I think I will be picking this one up on January 29th and giving her a shot!

Well, this started off with I think four covers but quickly grew!  Which titles are you most excited about?  I thinking I need to win the lottery stat!