The Love Note

 

****1/2

PG

little bit of a {BSt} tiniest bit of {TMP}

Will Easily Recommend

Truly a lovely story!

I really like Joanna Politano because her books are more than just fluff.  She writes deeper and with meaning.  She also likes to incorporate bits of mystery of which I am always a fan!

This story keeps you guessing and has little twists and surprises throughout.

I liked her Point of View approach because she uses first and third person to relate the story and I found that very interesting.  (Maybe it's just because I'm taking a writing class and we recently discussed POV.  I don't know that I would have noticed otherwise :)

There is a bit of a {Backstory} towards the end and the slightest hint of {Too Much Passion} for my taste but otherwise a super clean novel that often points to God and His role in our lives.

I loved it and WILL recommend this book to friends!

Refining the Debutante

 

***

G

Could Recommend

This book was okay...I didn't love it and I didn't hate it.  I can't think of any objections I had to it other than it didn't really have anything that set itself apart from all the other regencies.

I could recommend it but I am not eager to tell anyone about it so...there's that.

Maybe I was just in a blah mood when I read it :(

The Duke's Brother

 

***

PG

{UM}

Recommendable

Even though there were a few {Uncomfortable Moments} I truly enjoyed this novella length story.

The main character, even though we don't get to know her too well, was very likable and unique.

There were a couple of things that bothered me a bit besides the {UM}...

First, the author twice uses the word "inferno" to describe a character...is not the correct term "infernal"?  Maybe it's appropriate since I have a hard time seeing that being missed in editing...but I don't know...it seemed off.

Secondly, the heroine is a lover of creatures, yet there is a scene where she treats one rather inhumanely in my opinion so that didn't work for me either.

Anyway, a couple of nit-picky critiques but the story is so short that they kind of stuck out to me.

Overall, I would feel comfortable recommending this book.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

 ***

PG

{BSt}

Could Recommend

I did like this book...

I feel like I need to put more things in the "objections" area of my rating but I don't know how to classify them.  There definitely was a {Backstory} that came out at the end...but then there were some other very mildly objectionable things throughout the rest of the book.  I just am not even sure what they are any more but I remember noting them in my mind at the time.  Again, they were very mild so I don't feel like it would change my mind on my ability to recommend the book.

Cute plot, fun characters and I, of course, always love a bit of mystery :)

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

 

***1/2

PG

a tiny {BSt} a little bit {TMP} a smidge of {V}

Could Recommend

I have mixed feelings about these steampunk fairytale retellings...and I'm not even sure what those mixed feelings are... :)

Overall, I think I enjoy them although they can get a bit bizarre.

This one was interesting and held my attention for the most part.  The three things I had against it were really very minimal but I felt like I still needed to mention them.

I could recommend this based on cleanliness if you are into this sort of thing :)

A Castaway in Cornwall

 

***

PG

{UM} {BSt}

Could Recommend

I enjoyed this book...it was just a little bit long for me.  There was some good depth to it though...not just fluff like so many :)

As I recall, there were a few {Uncomfortable Moments} and a small, immoral {Back Story}

Great characters...good book...could easily recommend!

Solving Sophronia

 

****1/2

PG

Excitedly Recommend!

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book!

First of all, it is squeaky clean!!!  (I did rate it as PG because it is a murder mystery and there are some descriptions that aren't too gruesome but at the same time might be a bit unsettling.  However, I didn't feel like it needed the additional rating of {Subject Matter}). 

Secondly, squeaky clean + murder mystery is a double thumbs up in my book!

I didn't realize it would be a murder mystery, nor did I realize it is the first in a new series!  I realize the rest in the series most likely will not be mysteries but I am still looking forward to reading about the rest of the ladies in the Blue Orchid Society!

Lastly, the characters are so very likable...right down to the taxidermist constable :)

I thought Jennifer Moore did a fantastic job of developing the characters along with the story.  They are relatable and lovable!

I heartily recommend this one!