Ever since Perry waltzed onto the page in Winston’s story I wanted to know about this elusive Constantine brother. So many fun tropes in this one from strangers-to-lovers, to a marriage of convenience.

I am a member of the Dangerous Press review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦.

One moment I’m the forgotten daughter of one of the most wealthy families in the country, and the next I’m the blushing bride in an arranged marriage. My fate is sealed in my wedded union with a complete stranger.

In public, Perry Constantine is the life of the party. Easygoing. Adored. In private, he’s brooding. Dark. Angry. But so am I. It’s a contest of wills to see who will break in the bedroom first, and while I try to remain strong, I find myself craving the very man I swore to hate.

𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Perry Constantine is this book’s hero. I have been so excited to finally get into his head. This wannabe bad body with tattoos, rings, unbuttoned shirts and messy hair. A former party boy, who always had a different woman on his arm each night. That is until his mom finds him a wife. Enter Charlotte Lancaster, the only daughter of a wealthy old-money family. She had a bit of an indiscretion in France while away at university and now her parents are punishing her by forcing her to marry Perry. Perry and Charlotte’s character development was phenomenal and how they began to understand themselves better as they fell for each other. I loved having Ash and Tinsley in this story, I want more Constantine cameos as it feels like we have spent more time with the Morellis recently. I like the introduction of the Lancasters as an old-money New York family, to contrast with the Constantines. It reminded me a bit of the dynamics between old money and new money in the Gilded Age television show, which I love.
• Setting: We did not spend too much time in Bishop’s Landing, instead we have two characters fighting for their own agency. It was interesting to see Bishop’s Landing depicted as a prison, as stuck in the past and to see what living in New York City represents for their future.
• Pacing: The pacing hooked me into the story from the start. It felt slightly longer than previous Dangerous Press releases and I enjoyed that so much! I didn’t want this story to be over and especially after a twist near the end I am begging for more. I am sad I have to wait a few months now.
• Romance: I loved Perry and Charlotte’s initial attraction and how they decided to team up. What was nice to see though that even though they had an initial physical attraction, was that they stumbled around trying to understand each other. I loved as the story went on they became an even stronger team, who fought for one another’s safety and well-being. It took a while to get these two in bed together, but once they did it was so damn hot! I cannot wait to see what’s to come in future instalments.

The Reluctant Bride receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Amazon INTL | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play

Thank you again to Monica Murphy and the Dangerous Press team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Monica Murphy’s The Reluctant Bride ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

The premise of this one is super intriguing and it sure delivered! From a one-night stand to an office romance, set in charming London, you couldn’t ask for more.

I am a member of Lauren Blakely’s review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

“When a scorching hot one-night stand with a stranger turns into a deliciously forbidden office romance…

My first evening in London feels like kismet when I bump into a charming, book-loving Englishman, and by the end of the night, he’s making me see stars. I’m floating when we make plans to meet again.

Then fate decides to pull a fast one on me.

Turns out my smoldering new lover is my red-hot competition, and we’re vying for the same promotion at the elite auction house I crossed an ocean for.

If that’s not enough, the hottie and I are forced to work together on a brand new collection.
Every. Single. Tempting. Day.

What’s an American woman in London to do?

Staying far, far away would be the safe choice, especially when I learn about his past and how it mirrors mine.

But I don’t always play it safe with my heart…

Contents Include: A grumpy/sunshine office romance, secret gardens, knee-weakening kisses by the river and a hero who loves books.“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Heath is our hero, he’s a Londoner who loves reading. We meet him as a pretty lonely guy, having been widowed four years ago. His company HighSmith buys Jo’s company Bancroft. Enter Jo, our heroine is a New Yorker who loves reading. Now that the company she works at has been sold, she is being relocated to London. She is an incredibly driven and hard worker, almost at her deficit. She has been chasing the climb up the corporate ladder at the expense of her love life. Something many readers may relate to. Jo connects to previous books through Easton her cousin (Come Again) and Emmerson her best friend (A Wild Card Kiss).
• Setting: London as a setting is taking a special place in this story. When Jo first arrives her London is a city of bad memories and her personal baggage. What Heath’s London represents is a chance to make good memories and to forge a home for herself. I loved all the places in London our characters went to, it was nice to spend some time in London rather than the settings of New York and San Francisco where many of Lauren Blakley’s recent books have been set.
• Pacing: This book felt a bit longer than previous Lauren Blakley releases. It really helped our characters develop their friendship before they dived into any sort of something more. The later part zoomed by and no part of this story drags. I read it in a day!
• Romance: I loved these two together. This may come as no surprise to the readers of this blog, I love reading romance novels and just reading in general. So I adored reading a love story between two readers. It was just a huge plus to have Jo be a fervent fan of romance, and have Heath never ever judge her for it. I haven’t read an office romance in quite a while and I loved Lauren Blakley’s take on it. Not only do they work together, but they are also vying for the same position. This does nothing to staunch their chemistry or their overwhelming need to kiss each other. All their scenes together were wonderful.

Kismet receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here & 100% of the royalties are going to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine!

Follow Lauren on all her social channels…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Goodreads

Thank you again to Lauren Blakely and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Lauren Blakley’s Kismet ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.