Review of All in with the Duke (Gambling on Love #1) by Ava Marsh

 by Ava March

4 Stars 

London, 1822  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, vows to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man's true intentions. But ten months of celibacy and lonely nights drive him to a decadent brothel, where a beautiful young man arouses his illicit passions as never before.

Tristan Walsh has grown tired of being used for men's pleasure. But his latest client is different: commanding yet generous, Max makes him feel cared for as well as wanted. Yet Tristan knows he'll never have the choice to leave the brothel and submit only to Max.

So when Max invites him to be his guest at his country estate, Tristan eagerly agrees to his terms—days to do as he pleases while Max tends to the dukedom, and nights spent together in wicked play. But when the "business arrangement" begins to deepen into something more, Tristan must face the fact that he has no true place in Max's life—or in Max's guarded heart…

First off, let us just say we LOVE m/m Historical Romance, there is something so sexy about 19^th Century loving.  And Ava March’s All in with the duke does not disappoint.   Max Arrington, His Grace the Duke of Pelham, is a strict, unhappy, serious man.  He has given his heart away in the past, and learned from that mistake, but after 10 months of being alone, he strikes out to find some companionship.  Visiting a brothel he hires Tristan Walsh to share his bed for a few hours, and finds himself more than intrigued, so much so, when he finds Tristan being abuse by another client he whisks Tristan away to the safety of his country home.

There are so many things that work here, Max and Tristan are really hot together, and the light BDSM scenes really steal the show.  But there is a lot of heat in this book, and we did find ourselves skimming a bit – gulp!  Not that they are boring, but it gets a little repetitive.  We really enjoyed the slow-burn of the story, how they both come to realize that this isn’t just about sex anymore, and how Ava March deals with the reality of their situation, the son of a farmer and a Duke, can’t exist in each other’s worlds. 

All in with the Duke actually reminds us of an m/m Regent version of Pretty Woman.  The prostitute and the Gentleman – how will they ever stay together?  Even though they love each other, will their worlds keep them apart?  Kidding aside, this version really works.  And introducing us to Jack Morgan, Max’s driver, and Anthony, Viscount Rawling, characters for Gambling on Love Book #2 and #3 respectively makes us want to load them up on our kindle right away!

Review of A Fashionable Indulgence by K.J. Charles

by K.J. Charles

4.5 Stars

 In the first novel of an explosive new series from K. J. Charles, a young gentleman and his elegant mentor fight for love in a world of wealth, power, and manipulation.

When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips.

After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.

A Fashionable Indulgence is the first in a new series by K.J. Charles, a historical romance set with around a small group of men the Ricardians who have the same tastes in bed-partners.  But don’t be fooled  by this book has intrigue, political strife and romance romance romance.  We love a good historical romance and seriously, K.J. Charles is one of the best at delivering.  This book is a m/m version of My Fair Lady, but with a lot more naked fun!

Julian, a Regency Dandy is tasked with turning Harry, a son of a long passed radical that had been dis-inherited by his wealthy family into a true gentleman of that time.  Harry’s grandfather wants to put the family back together and marry Harry off to carry on the family line, but knows he lacks the quality for the London season.   Julian is a bit of an un-likeable character that hides behind a perfect façade, but Harry’s love-of-life reminds Julian that there is love  and he is deserving.

What stands out about A Fashionable Indulgence is the characters, not just the mains but the group of Ricardians.  They create a world that you can totally believe.  K.J. Charles creates a whole world that you can easily find yourself believing, with the clash between upper and lower classes laid out between the 2 main characters.   Harry coming from the streets feels the divide keenly and brings a little humanity to the Ricadians who have lived at the top all their lives.

K.J. Charles is a master at weaving a story, and A Fashionable Indulgence does NOT disappoint.  Even if you aren’t into the historical romance, this book is SO much more!  We can’t wait to dig into the next sequels!

Review of The Soldier's Scoundel by Cat Sebastian

by Cat Sebastian

 3.5 Stars

 

A historical Romance that will have you falling in love!

This historical Romance by Cat Sebastian combines a bit of a mystery, a stuffy nobility and a scoundrel in a steamy romance.  Jack Turner grew up in the London slum’s but has eked out a life for himself solving pretty crime, and mysteries for the ladies of the nobility.   Oliver Rivington is a retired military man, who has returned with a disability and happens across Jack when he goes to investigate an expense of his sister’s household.  Jack and Oliver are like oil and water, but spending more time together they start to make more and more sense.

We really enjoyed this book, and one of our first m/m historical romances.  The look at the nobility at the time is fascinating, and Oliver makes a regal character.  The romance between Jack is believable, and we fell in love with the back and forth of the characters, the humor easily translates off the page.  There is some definite steam between Jack and Oliver and we love that even through it is in the ‘historical’ genre, the heat is there between the 2 characters.

Another great part of The Soldier’s Scoundrel is it’s secondary story-line around Jack’s case.  This actually gives the characters something to focus on instead of angst.  There is still a bit of that  the “he deserves better than me” and “I don’t want to appear to be buying him”, but it doesn’t take away for the story.  Cat Sebastian also looks into the class difference in this time, how the nobility act to others in service of them.  Oliver has come back as a wounded war-hero, but feels like he doesn’t quite belong back in that airy life he once led. 

Historical Romance really isn’t our genre, and the cover doesn’t do much to help lure you to read The Soldier’s Scoundrel, but this is not to be missed.  Cat Sebastian weaves a multi-layered tales that keeps you turning the page until the end.