Elisa BradenReviews

Short and sweet historical romance between an antiquities dealer and his secretary.

Awesome book. Annie is amazing and John is, too. The slowburn romance was fun to read and they're so good together.

Also, I adore Annie's stepdad, Angus, and how they are together. So sweet.

MCs were a good match in their obsession with each other. The secondary drama didn’t flow as well.

Could have been a 4 but the romantic conflict continued much too long. Also, the real facts of the conflict were glossed over too easily without sufficient consequence.

Low 3 for a somewhat poorly stitched together story. Enjoyed Jane and her growing boldness but Harrison’s obsession (and his strange decisions in dealing with it) - oddly acted out. Is he on the spectrum? That possibility, in my mind, would make his behaviour a bit more understandable.

Oh, and the “hands” thing is delightful.

Enjoyable MCs, a little out of the ordinary Regency mold but not so much so as to be unbelievable. Humorous moments. Pleasant development of the romance, good character growth (MMC) and interesting secondary characters (though the “villains” certainly didn’t get punished enough).

Dammit! Lord Colin Lacey has been such a disgusting human being in the prior two novels….how is it at all fair that HIS love story is the best so far? Especially after having mangled Harrison’s so badly?
Harrumph.
Sarah is great, by the way.
*sigh*

Low 4. Tannenbrook has long been a great secondary character and his story included an HEA preceded by poignant passages; the fact that I needed a hankie a time or three is why this book is a 4 instead of a 3.

My main complaint is that the FMC, Viola, is rather….dull. She instantly obsessed over him (before even seeing him) and this was acceptable because of her… “Inklings.” Apparently she has a special prescience.

I would have preferred that she have a unique character instead of just being beautiful, charming and kind.
There’s a reason why Jane Bingley was never a FMC.

Lower 3 mainly bc it took too long to explain the REAL reason behind her reticence. Until that point, her refusal to marry him was just annoying.

Low 4. Wow. Even though the villain’s identity was easy to discern, this was an exciting tale with multiple HEAs.

Oh, don’t care for easy redemptions of prior despicable behaviour (Henry’s mom and sis).

Absolutely LOVED the heat of the growing attraction (well, MMC does have instalust but 2 romances!!!) HOWEVER, one must suspend logic to live with the plot’s direction to the finish. Therefore, this is a 2 and not a 3. I mean, really, WHY would the MMC spend so much $ on a “mistress” he doesn’t bed? The FMC is somewhat oblivious. All that vomiting and the males don’t think it could be a pregnancy? Why is the pregnant sister living in a single room at the gambling club instead of with FMC in a 7-bedroom house?!

Genie is a hoot.

Solid 3.
Mrs. MacBean’s best book.

A little uneven-transitions in emotion rocky.
Low 3.

I was a bit confused at first but learning why Annie was considered mad was interesting.

While this would be a 3 star for an unknown author, I know what EB is capable of and this is a very lazy showing. The FMC makes a rapid character change and the MMC has little personality. Hardly any tension, romantic or otherwise. Relies too heavily on having laid the foundation in prior books in the series. Disappointing.
Except for Mrs. MacBean. She never disappoints.

While I loved the MCs, the story’s drama was too…contrived. Was Jonas’ « itch » a callback to Viola’s « inkling »? After so much initial emphasis on it in the last 2 books of the series, it just disappears from the story.
And therein lies the problem with this tale. So much space was devoted to reintroducing and spending time with prior characters and events and shallow red herrings that there wasn’t enough time devoted to the MCs’ courtship. Another rush to marriage and trope-heavy angsty (read: annoying) drama.
Also, the WORST epilogue in the series. Disappointing finish….rather ruined, I’d say.

My Review: (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review)

This was a chef's kiss novella and one of my favorite books of the series at this point. I can see how this book is a bridge between her two primary series. This book was a enchanting quick read that I soaked up like a sponge. I love also how quick paced this book was. I really didn't want to put this one down here. This book was really enchanting in what we see in the romance itself. There is so much adventure in this one, with a slight amount of flashbacks, but they aren't flashbacks that will bother anyone. They are well mixed into the story that you don't feel the transition. We also see such great chemistry between these two. They have both been pining for the other for years. So when the hero realizes she is making a stupid decision....he decides to make his claim haha sometimes a big play is what you need to do when hints to the other isn't working. This is a very short story though, its only like 70 pages, so you sweep through it so quickly. What I really appreciate is how much emotional depth was packed within this story. Very endearing and I was so invested in these characters and I kinda wish we had longer with them and then that sweet quick ending that had a magic feel to it was just right! I can't wait to move on to her highlander series now! But a bit bittersweet this series is over though.

This was good - a bit of an improvement from book 1 as far as some of the pacing and plot. It did seem like Harrison had a bit of a personality transplant compared to book 1? Like, in book 1 he (almost instantly) became a favorite character due to his support of his sister (although him letting her marry Atherbourne was an odd decision considering all the things; but romance reasons and whatnot). Harrison seemed like a steadfast brother and overall decent human being. He even seemed to notice Jane in book 1. Come to The Truth about Cads and Dukes and he's a bit more . . . stuffy? Ok he seemed A LOT more stuffy. But, he still had the "decent human being" going for him so I'll let it go.

I really like Jane but oof I felt so bad for her. She has low self-esteem and it just hurts my heart because she is adorable, funny, and smart. There was a bit more internalized fatphobia than I thought necessary but I understand she is getting this reinforcement from all the other shitbags in the ton.

I STILL fucking hate Colin. I don't think I can ever forgive him for being a such a waste of space. Anyway, with all that said, I just like this series and I will be reading the next book and the one after that, etc.

This book is a free download when you sign up for the author's newsletter. Ok so this is a solid 3 stars for me - revenge plots aren't really my thing but this book was very horny and I'm looking forward to the next! I've actually read the 7th book in this series - which was sweet, horny and funny. The side characters in these books are what makes me yearn for more! I'm so glad I was encouraged by a bookish friend to start reading Elisa Braden.

My Review (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review)

I absolutely adored this one and while I was hoping for something more with this book, it was still a solid read that I didn't want to put down. Just been a busy week so it took a bit to get through for it. I really enjoyed the tropes that enter into this story and really added a unique dynamic for our couple. I also love a class difference romance and the beautiful pining in this story is so delicioius. They are both pining for each other and since there is a class difference, its not exactly encouraged for them to be together. However, you see how determined they are and also how that pining isn't go away nor is it temporary. I love the ways in which they find their path and their HEA was definitely fully satisfying. There wasn't anything specific that I necessarily struggled with, I think there was some aspects to the plot that just slowed the pacing down a bit. Overall I had a fun time with this one and am really sad that this is the last full length novel of the series, as that means I am almost through with this authors books.

The Duke of Blackmore marries a shy, bespectacled, plump frump, Jane Huxley, to save her from the consequences of his brother's nasty prank. He's always found her tiresome, and is in the habit of pointing out her faults and telling her off, but he's suddenly overcome with lust and must prevent himself from falling in love, apparently because his horrible father trained him to avoid all emotion. He has lapses, of course, because most of the book consists of Jane's and the duke's sexual congress. But he feels terrible after!

On top of that, he's been christened with the name Harrison, perhaps the only man in Regency England ever to have borne it. I'm just relieved that Jane wasn't called Madison.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Ever Yours, Annabelle is the prequel to the "Rescued from Ruin" series. This is a book I have been forgetting to read about but I keep seeing as being one of the best Elisa Braden books so I am not sure how I misssed this one. If you want to read this author, this book is in KU right now so. Elisa Braden is a fresh voice in the historical romance genre currently especially in a time where historical romance is NOT what it used to be and it can be hard to find fun sexy adventurous historical romances these days. This is a story that deals with childhood connections, trauma, disability and a beautiful love story.

First Line
Lady Annabelle Huxley had loved Robert Conrad for her entire thirteen years of life.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad has been battling a body that fights him constantly and has become hardened and a bit of a "beast" and very moody. Best friends with Annabelle Huxley's brother and been in love with Annabelle for over a decade.

The Heroine: Annabelle Huxley
Been in love with Robert since she was young
A writer
Kind but strong

Summary
Annabelle Huxley has been in love with her brother's best friend "Robert Conrad" ever since she was a girl. When she chases him one day and it goes a bit too far, in an attempt to save her life, Robert ends up crippled and his body practically broken. Robert Conrad lost so much when his body became broken. In an attempt to save Annabelle and protect her, he had to push her away. Now its been seven years, and when Annabelle and Robert are to face each other, the love that has always been there rises to the surface and will the past mistakes keep them from the love they hold or push them away forever...

What I Loved
This book was one of my favorites of the series. It completely surprised me by how much I adored it. I was NOT expecting to find what I did find with this book. I can see now why so many call this one their favorite. This romance was a utter delight. It starts off with such sweet tones, the friendship and connection between Robert and Annabelle was so endearing. Even when the brother was being a jerk sometimes, Robert treated Annabelle with such attentive care and gentleness and respected her so much. Both Robert and Annabelle change in some ways after losing each other in this way. The trauma that we see happen here was so real and delivered all the painful notes that you could expect from seeing someone you love go through this struggle.

I truly adored both characters. They are genuine and believable and felt authentic. The hero is such an alpha male. He doesn't start out that way. We see how he has to cut himself off from Annabelle, and how his body is so broken and your heart breaks for him. He does become such a delicious alpha male. He is so possessive and determined to win over Annabelle and correct the mistakes he made. But he had a reason for hurting he like he did. While I think it was misguided, he had good intentions behind it and wasn't to be callous and mean on purpose. I adored this heroine though. She was so naturally strong and feminine and never ashamed of the love she held for Robert. She never loses her devotion to him and he does have to work on rebuilding her trust.

The plot in this story has a bit more than just the romance that comes into play here. We see how there is a level of danger and suspense elements that come into the story and how our characters react to this. I do think that Elisa Braden handled the plot aspects of a story so well. She really implements this style of plot building that blends in well with the relationship that is happening at the same time.

What I Struggled With
I didn't really struggle with much in this book. It wasn't a 6-star read, but it takes a LOT for a book to get to that rating for me. But I had a blast with this book. I think if the heroine hadn't been pushing the hero away for as long as she does, it felt a bit weird at times in the third act.

Overall View
Ever Yours Annabelle was a passionate romance that delivered strong notes of adventure, suspense, reconnecting with your soulmate and portraying a deep endearing romance to melt your heart!

Favorite Quote(s)
“Do not bloody well run from me.” He reached for her. She shoved his arm away. He grunted, but rather than retreat, he advanced. Moved inside the tiny space. Closed the door behind him, forcing her back against the closet’s wall and trapping them both inside utter blackness.
“Is that very clear, Annabelle?” The growl was low and throaty now, near enough to tickle her skin. She could not see him, but she felt him, felt his arm brace on the wall by her ear. Felt his breath wash against her cheek. Felt his heat and size surrounding her like a furnace.
“Never run from me,” he rasped, “I will always catch you.”

“I expect you to vex me. That’s what bumblebees do.”

"Home, my love," she replied. "Wherever else we may wander, our ship will always carry us home."

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Aristocracy, Alpha Hero, Brooding/Tortured, Pining Heroine
Themes: Childhood Ties, Leading Lady, Book Boyfriend, Disability
Tropes: Best Friend Sibling, Unrequited Love, Second Chance, Childhood Sweethearts

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix

Song This Book Inspires
Just You and I by Tom Walker

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes for the serial plot, but you can read these books as standalones

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Anything But a Gentleman is the seventh installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and in this one we get a bad boy type of hero. And I was all in for this one. And this author immediately pulled me from the first page, I was so hooked and literally kept me up late reading, that is how delectable this story was. I do think the writing style of Elisa Braden is my catnip and is ruining me for all other historical romance authors haha I am not sure why I was sleeping on this author, but I am all in for her and will always support her if her stories are anything like this here. I really adored this one and moments in which we see our couples come together. And this story does feature two couples. We have our primary couple, and then a side couple involving Augusta's sister and Reaver's best friend.

First Line
"I keep it? The whole lot." Thick, dark grime upon the boy's face failed to mask his skepticism.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sebastian Reaver
-Alpha Self Made Hero
-Connected to Aristocracy
-Bad Boy and Grumpy

The Heroine: Augusta Widmore
-A genteel lady
-Protective of her baby sister
-Feisty, hardworking and strong willed

Summary
Augusta has come to London to help protect her sister. Her sister became pregnant and she is determined to bring the father to heel so her child isn't born a bastard. So she knows that Reaver holds the notes for the gambling debts and needs to attain those to issue some justice of her own. But what she doesn't count on is entangling herself with Reaver or that he would be so exasperating or a will to match her own. But what starts out as some healthy competition turns into something more when Reaver offers her a solution, become his mistress for 6 weeks and he will hand over the notes or leave. So she is determined to do whatever it takes and before Reaver realizes it, this tiring woman is controlling his life, furnishing a home he never lives in and even housing a pickpocket and he is falling hard for this strong woman who has a heart to match his own...

What I Loved
This book *sigh* I feel like I am really getting into the Elisa Brade vibe and these books are just like catnip for me. I absolutely adored everything about this one here. It was delectable, sexy and so much heart was being conveyed here. I loved the moments that we see with this couple and their chemistry was so well built. And this is what I love and miss in modern age historicals. And this is why I am really wanting to explore more indie authors. (so if you know of authors like this one here who write this type of historical please send me to them). Anything But a Gentleman is a story of a grumpy heroine and a feisty heroine who calls his bluff haha their bantering is delectable and I couldn't get enough of seeing them build a relationship together. And the heart felt moments between these two just delivered so much for me. I couldn't get enough nor could I put this one down. This author has such a beautiful talent in easily sweeping you up in a story and its done so well. In fact, once I finish with her backlist, I am going to do a reread of these books especially the earlier books.

What I Struggled With
Honestly??? Nothing haha It was perfect in every way for me

Overall View
Anything but a Gentleman was brililantly mastered, with charm and elegance and soul touching romance to leave you breathless and eager for more!

Favorite Quote(s)
Loving someone meant standing in stinging rain and bellowing wind, knowing how much it hurt and doing it anyway. Because the one who needed shelter mattered more.

Perhaps he did, because when he returned to earth, he felt as though he’d been reassembled into a new form. Broken into pieces and remade by Augusta’s gentle, callused hands.

Book Details (also on my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Character Types: Bad Boy, Gambler, Self Made Hero
Themes: London Underground, Laughs, Gambling Hell
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Recommendation For Reading Order
I do recommend reading in order if you can, but can be read as a standalone if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Confessions of a Dangerous Lord is the sixth installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and this was a fantastic read. I honestly couldn't put this one down and there is something about Elisa Braden and how she writes a regency romance that just strikes deep. And I do think this is one of my favorite books from her. I honestly adored every single thing about this book and never wanted to put it down. That doesn't happen very often anymore with historicals and I am completely hooked by this author and the talent that she has to write such beautiful historical romances that just engage you right away and this one with Maureen and and Henry just strikes deep in so many ways and it captivated me so dearly and the humor was just the right amount here. If you need a refreshing historical, then I highly recommend this one. You can read as a standalone if you need to.

First Line
Most men saw poorly in the dark. Sabre was not most men.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Henry, Early of Dunston
Puts off a persona of being into fashion and a bit flashy with a witty dialogue upon everyone he meets. But deep down he is a undercover spy to hunt down the one responsible for his father's murder.

The Heroine: Lady Maureen Huxley
Maureen has been in love with Henry for years, but he turned down her advances for marriage, and every suitor she has ends up running away from her. But is determined to find a man to love and marry.

Summary
Maureen and Henry have been best friends for years and as their families are connected to each other, they have always been in the same circles. For at least two years Maureen has been in love with Henry but when he turned her down she is determined now to finally move on with her life and find closure in the best way that she knows how to. However, Henry doesn't seem to want to let her go despite his insistence that they never can get together. Henry knows a life with Maureen can never happen as long as his enemy is alive. And that if they ever find out how important she is, then her life would be in danger. But after some wake up calls, Henry realizes that this is his last chance to fight for the woman he loves. But will marriage to him put her in more danger than ever before?

What I Loved
This book swept my heart and mind away to another time and setting in such a brilliantly masterful way. This book was my catnip and I couldn't seem to get enough of what was delivered within this story. I am not sure exactly what it was about this one here, but it had so much deep moments that strikes to your soul in such a way that I will remember forever. The connection that Henry and Maureen have together was so poignant and the mutual longing that they have melted my heart. Henry you completely understand why he has denied Maureen in the beginning. He lives a very dangerous life and she is so loving and innocent and doesn't want to ruin who she is or break her spirit by knowing the type of life he leads. But you see how much he yearns for her but can't have her and knows her parents know about what he does and would never approve of him. Then we have Maurren, who has such a gentle but strong soul. And what she wants....find love, be married and have a family. And I resonated so much with her. She is the TYPE of heroine I need more in my historical's. But when she starts courting another man (who does get a book later on in the series because I adored Phineas) Henry starts fighting for the woman he loves and proving to her he is genuine. Henry and Maureen have such an intense connection and their bedroom scenes are much higher in steam but the intimacy and connection is just as strong and really builds within these scenes when they are able to connect on a deeper level. And when Maureen finds out the truth and her reaction was brilliant and Braden really wrote that scene so well. I just loved everything about her spirit and fire and her deep love for her man.

What I Struggled With
Nothing to be honest. I loved everything about this one here.

Overall View
I fell so hard for this one here, and the way in which this author captured this beautiful intimate romance that brilliantly tugged at my heartstrings and provoked deep resonating moments to hold close to the heart.

Favorite Quote(s)
It is all right, you know. To love a man and also see his faults, ask him to do better. If marriage teaches you anything, it teaches you that we are all constructed of faults—cracks and fissures in rather interesting shapes.” She leaned closer. “With the occasional spot of grace to make things bearable.”

“Strength is not instilled at infancy. It is built over time as we face hardships and either flail about or find a way through.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, England-Regency Era
Character Types: Earls, Aristocrat, Undercover Spy
Themes: London Underground, Family Bonds, Espionage, Danger, Pining Hero & Heroine
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Endless Love by Lionel Richie, Diana Ross

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I do recommend reading this series in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.