The Sport of Baronets

(Romance of the Turf, #0.5)

by

Theresa Romain

 

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 

 

Published on November 3rd, 2015

(Read on November 2nd-3rd, 2015, from the review copy received from the publisher on NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)

 

       

Description:

  

 An original novella introducing Romance of the Turf, Theresa Romain's exciting new Regency romance series...

The lives of Sir Bartlett Crosby and Hannah Chandler have been marked by fierce competition between their elite families...the perfect breeding ground for a mutual attraction neither can deny.

Bart hopes to conquer "the turf" through victory in a much-touted match. Should his heavily-favored colt win, the Crosby reputation and fortunes would be revived. Bart's plan seems poised for success until the lovely Hannah Chandler, daughter of a noted rival trainer, turns up claiming ownership of the colt. When Hannah insists on claiming her purchase, the prize colt disappears from Bart's stable. Theft or treachery? As Hannah and Bart rush to solve the mystery before race time, they uncover a scandalous truth about their families' pasts-a truth that has the potential to either destroy both their futures, or to guide them to a love they never imagined.

    

    

My Thoughts on the Novella:

 

 

The Sport of Baronets is a great introduction to this new series, with likable characters and interesting enough that will leave you eager for more. 

For me, when I read a historical romance series or contemporary romance series, it's all about the characters & their lives, their families & their friends. I love seeing & reading everybody's happily ever after, and this prequel novella is just the kind of story that will hook me on a new series.

In The Sport of Baronets, we meet Sir Bartlett Crosby & Hannah Chandler, members of families that have been in a feud for years. They don't even know how exactly it started, but it has always been like that: Crosbys vs Chandlers. They don't like each other, they don't socialize & of course, they're competitors in the sport.

From the beginning, I found the story to be fun & interesting. I liked learning about their families, and the secret about how it all started, as well as the mystery they find themselves in the middle of. Despite being all quite predictable, the journey was quite entertaining. I loved the interactions between Hannah & Bart, they getting to know each other & all that. It was absolutely charming & so sweet, and honest. That's how it felt to me, realistic & honest for the time period. I might be wrong, I'm not an expert, but the author imagined these two quirky, funny & kinda shy, yet strong minded characters, that actually want the same things for themselves & their futures, and it was wrapped up in this delightful package that I enjoyed quite a lot, and that I'd like to think that it almost could've happened. Not the mystery/feud part, and not all of it, but the meeting of a lady & a gentleman, and their flirting & conversing, and just falling for each other, without any pretenses & playing games. I just found it refreshing. Also, the guy wasn't a rake or a scoundrel or something like that, so I really liked that & loved his shyness.

That being said, I loved both Bart & Hannah as characters. They are engaging, interesting & sweet, and really likable, and their romance is so sweet & charming, that I will probably read their story again. Also, I can't wait for some glimpses of them & their life together in the following books (about which I can only hope so). 

 

So, yes, I highly recommend this prequel novella to every fan of historical romances, and I'm definitely going to continue reading the series. Once again, Theresa Romain has done a great job, and I'll continue reading her works!

  

     

   

My rating: 4 of 5

 

 

Challenges:

  

~ Q4 Review Pile Reading Challenge

Title: Season for Desire

Author: Theresa Romain

Series: Holiday Pleasures, #4

Publisher: Kensington Books

Imprint: Zebra

Publication date: October 7th, 2014

My rating: 5 of 5

(Book read on September 29th-30th, 2014,  from the review copy received from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)  

Summary:

Properly Wicked

 

Like her four sisters, Lady Audrina Bradleigh is expected to marry a duke, lead fashion, and behave with propriety. Consequently, Audrina pursues mischief with gusto, attending scandalous parties and indulging in illicit affairs. But when an erstwhile lover threatens to ruin her reputation, Audrina has no choice but to find a respectable husband at once. 

 

Who would guess that her search would lead her to Giles Rutherford, a blunt-spoken American on a treasure hunt of his own? When a Christmas snowstorm strands the pair at a country inn, more secrets are traded than gifts--along with kisses that require no mistletoe--and Audrina discovers even proper gentlemen have their wicked side. . .

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

  

Season for Desire is the final book in the Holiday Pleasures series. I was sad that the series will be over, but it least the finale was absolutely amazing, and I loved seeing again the characters from the previous books, too!

Season for Desire is a historical romance novel, that was lovely, heartwarming, a little bit heartbreaking, but amazing, humorous, beautiful, entertaining & delightful - and the perfect read for the holiday season! I loved it so much! So, yes, another one for my all time favs pile!

I loved the multiple PoVs. That was unexpected, but they brought the story perfectly. And all the characters were so well-developed, and I loved getting to know them all. I think that each of them brought a charm to the story that made it what it is.

I loved the MCs as characters. Both Audrina & Giles were so interesting & witty, and nice & charming, and I loved following them on their adventure. I loved their interactions, and I loved the story of how they fell for each other. So sweet & beautiful, and romantic, and fun, and charming. For most of the book I was smiling & laughing out loud, and most definitely grinning like a loon. So, yes, this book made me happy & left me happy.

I also loved Richard - Giles' father. He's so sweet & fun, and amazing, and I loved him, and I especially loved his sense for adventure & his interactions with Estella. So amusing & fun! And Estella - at first I didn't remember who she is, because it's been so long since I read the 2nd book, but yes, I remembered later when Louisa was mentioned, and I loved seeing her happy. She was one interesting & quirky character.

I also loved most of the secondary characters, but most awesome among them was the Duke of Walpole. He had just a tiny role, but he's one amazing man, and I loved what he did for Charissa, and he could be one amazing hero, though of course since he already got his happy ending, we won't be seeing that, but still - he's amazing, and I loved seeing both him & her happy!

That being said, I also loved seeing Lord & Lady Xavier - the MCs from the 2nd book, and Julia & James - the MCs from the 1st book. I even loved the mention of the MCs from the 3rd book. So, yes, this was a delightful finale to the series, and I loved it so much!

As for the story, I won't go into details, but it was a lovely mix of banter, road trip, holiday cheer, humour, romance, treasure hunt & quest, and it was full of heart & soul!

So, if you're a fan of historical romances or just fan of stories set for the holidays, then I can't recommend enough Season for Desire!

 

 

 

Challenges: 

Summer Bookish Bingo

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

September is for Sequels Challenge

2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge