ARC REVIEW A Lady's Past by A.S. Fenichel

Everton Domestic Society #4, I have enjoyed the entire series so far, they can be read as standalones. The Everton Domestic Society prides itself on finding the right woman for the job needed. Jacques Laurent has seen the proof of the good the employment agency for Ladies does so when he sees a Lady stranded on the side of the road obviously running from something he recommends her going to Everton. Reluctantly Diana goes but only after confiding in Lady Jane the nature of her past that she felt safe enough in staying. Lady Jane even set up a job in Diana's prefered subject, chemistry; with a footman/guard and no one else knowing Diana's true past she started to feel a little safe.

Jacques was deceived once before by his fiancee and it has jaded him, he finds it hard to trust again but in the three weeks since he met Diana she was never far from his thoughts. Imagine his surprise when he goes to his friend/investment, inventor Francis Edgebrook, and finds he has hired an Everton Lady as his assistant, Diana to be exact. There is something about Diana that calls to him, he knows she's in danger but he would rather remove the obstacle than risk never seeing her again. It's a good thing he's got friends in high places. He works hard to earn Diana's trust and her love.

Overall, it was a great read. I love all the characters. You have no idea how long I have waited for a story where the characters are called Jack and Diane, this is the closest I've gotten yet. It's a beautifully written romance with enough intrigue to keep it interesting and humor and angst in all the right places.     

ARC REVIEW A Lady's Virtue be A.S. Fenichel

The Everton Domestic Society #3, Out of all the Historical Romances I've read this month this one has to be my favorite. I have been waiting on Anthony's book since he first appeared in the Forever Brides series, and it was worth it. Sylvia Dowder was "disgraced" when her fiance called off the wedding after he inherited and became a Viscount. Seeing that she would probably never make a suitable match again she joined the Everton Domestic Society.

What I love about the Ladies at Everton is that they have embraced their spinsterhood and are doing something about it that they want. With Sylvia it's not only just being an Everton Lady, she's also in secret a gossip columnist, who rights the wrongs, who looks out for the underdog and if someone is treated horribly she points out all the faults in the accuser. Writing is what Sylvia really loves and being an Everton Lady gives her the time and the means to keep doing so.

Anthony Braighton was born and raised in America, moving to England was more for his mother and his sister and after several years he inherited a title he didn't want, it just got in the way of his plans to eventually move to Italy and make wine. When Anthony's mother starts bugging him about marriage he hires and Everton Lady to play his hostess and to redecorate his newly acquired townhouse just to prove to his mother he doesn't need to get married but meeting Sylvia again changed everything. Now Anthony doesn't want to do anything without her and if that means staying in England then he's willing too. After what happened to her last engagement Sylvia is prejudice against men with titles and Anthony finds himself trying to prove to her he's not going to hurt her. Sylvia spends the whole time trying to talk herself out of loving Anthony.

Overall, it's a good read. Sylvia can be headstrong and very stubborn when it comes to admitting her true feelings but I understand where she's coming from and why she's scared to commit to something like that again. Anthony is a great character I'm glad he finally got his HEA. I love A.S. Finichel's writing is heartfelt and witty great character development and each book can be read as a standalone.           

ARC REVIEW A Lady's Escape by A.S. Fenichel

The Everton Domestic Society #2, A stand-alone novel Millie Edgebrook is the newest member of the Everton Domestic Society her first assignment to to prove her matchmaking skills are as good as she says they are by finding a wife for the Duke of Middleton, Preston Knowles. Preston's mother has hired the Everton Domestic Society to find an appropriate wife for him since he has proved to not being able to do so himself after having two engagements broken off because the woman was in love with someone else. Millie takes this job very seriously it's her way to finally break away from society and eventually go traveling. Millie was raised by her uncle an eccentric mad scientist type with the tendency to set his lab on fire. Millie loves her uncle but desperately wants her own life away from the judgemental eyes of the ton. Preston knows he has to get married eventually but finding the right woman is proving to be somewhat of a challenge and when the right one does show up she's there to find him a wife not to be his wife. That doesn't stop Preston from tring.

As Milie tries to find a suitable match for Preston she finds herself falling for him. He's not like the others he listens to her, he enjoys her intelligence, and playing chess with her but falling in love with Preston ruins all her plans. Falling for Millie was easy convincing himself she would be the perfect wife was easy but convincing her of this might be more difficult than he thinks. Overall, this was a great read. If you have read her other books you will see quite a few familiar faces and that was a nice touch. I look forward to the other book in this series. Fenichel is pretty consistent with her writing it's always well thought out, well paced, well written I always thoroughly enjoy her books.    

ARC REVIEW A Lady's Honor by A.S. Fenichel

The Everton Domestic Society #1, A new series but quite a few familiar faces. The Flammel Family that was in the Forever Brides series, particularly the last one Desperate Bride (this can be read separate from that series). The eldest brother, Marcus, lost his wife in childbirth and since then let his life fall apart around him becoming more and more like his drunken father. Getting into alcohol induced rages and firing the staff to the point there are only four of them for the whole house and are there wits end trying to raise Elizabeth and keep up with the house. Phoebe Hallsmith decided that taking care of her grandmother was more important than finding a husband, much to her Mother's dismay. Living in Scotland with her Grandmother Phoebe did once get briefly engaged only to be rejected and completely humiliated. After the death of her grandmother Phoebe proceed to further embarrass her family by going to work for the Everton Domestic Society and helping families in desperate times of need. Marcus' mother, Lady Castlereagh, is tired with her son's attitude and hires the Everton Domestic Society to help her son get his house in order and his life back on track. Margaret Flammel knows Phoebe was dear friends with her deceased daughter-in-law, Emma, and that her brother is best friends with Markus and specifically requests Phoebe be the one to help. Phoebe understand the their are complications when working with someone you know personally but is determined to stick to the rules and remain professionally distant.   

Within moments of her arrival at Rosefield Phoebe is already making changes, the little Elizabeth who doesn't speak is reminded she is a lady and will disappoint her mother if she doesn't act like one. She then makes Markus see the errors of his ways and reminds him that his daughter is not a bad memory of his wife. After one more bender Markus wakes up and realizes he's turned into his father and if there is one thing he never wanted to do was that and Emma would be very disappointed in him so he starts to fix things; first by getting rid of all the alcohol in the house. Phoebe starts to set the house in order while Markus works with his secretary to fix the finances. 

The romance start slow between Phoebe and Markus, just friends at first but the more time they spend together the more the feelings grow. As the feelings grow they both start to feel guilty about betraying Emma, and Phoebe is determined to keep it professional and keeps saying as soon an the Nanny is settled her job is over, but things with the Nanny keep going wrong and Phoebe ends up staying longer. It doesn't help that Markus' secretary is enamoured with Phoebe and has stated they are going to court and to top it all off Phoebe's eldest brother is demanding she marry the idiot who dumped her in Scotland. It's Markus who first realizes his feeling for Phoebe and that it's okay that he fall in love again; now Phoebe just has to realize she too can give into her feelings without feeling guilt.

Overall, this was an emotional story of learning to love again. Fenichel handles the whole thing well a lot of widow/widower stories are hard to take in, they almost always make the deceased spouse horrible so that way it's easier to accept the fact that they can love someone else. In this Emma was a wonderful person and that makes it harder for both Markus and Phoebe to get over that guilt of being in love with each other. I loved how Fenichel handled that it was raw and beautiful. 

ARC REVIEW Desperate Bride by A.S. Fenichel

Desperate Bride is book three in A.S. Fenichel's Forever Brides series. While I like the author and the other two books in the series this one was kind of depressing for me. I'm not partial to books the make me feel depressed.

In this one we have Dorothea and Thomas. In the previous books Dory has always come across as straightforward, levelheaded, and so absorbed into her music. In this book we see a more insecure side. Thomas is utterly devoted to Dory and she's too oblivious to realize why. Normally I get a kick out of oblivious characters but in this case Dory being oblivious is way to hurtful to Thomas and Thomas doesn't handle that well. The lack of communication gets annoying as well, how can you love someone if you don't trust them enough to talk to them about things like feelings and to confide in them about stuff so you are not assuming and doing what you think is right for the both of you but it's not.

Dory needs to get married before her father signs a contract for her to marry someone else. Dory has avoided marriage because she's always been told that once she does she will have to give up her music so when her father basically sells her to settle his debts Dory runs to the only person she can think of that wouldn't take away her music if they married, Thomas Wheel. Thomas has been in love with Dory since he first heard her play. He never pursued it because she was too high above him in status, he never thought he would have a chance. When Dory first asked he said no because of it but after seeing the way the man treated her he arranged it so they could run off and get married before the contract is signed. On the journey up to Scotland they agree that they can be friends in the marriage, and even though Dory is scared to death she's willing to be a wife in every sense. Thomas wants to make sure she knows she can change her mind at any moment. They get married and soon after there is a misunderstanding that leads to a series of misunderstanding that doesn't end until their friends intervene but that's only after Thomas' life is threatened by Dory's worthless father and the Lord who lost Dory as a bride.

Overall, least favorite book of the series. I hope Anthony gets his story next. 

ARC REVIEW Foolish Bride by A.S. Fenichel

The second of A.S. Fenchel's Forever Bride series Foolish Bride takes up where the first one left with the continuation of Elinor and Michael lover story. In the first book we met Elinor and Michael a star-crossed romance who had some issues as a side story. In the first book we see Elinor as a sweet young woman with a gentle disposition but as the book goes on and she realizes that she is going to stop trying to please everyone she shows her family and friends she is quick witted and has quite a temper. Michael was a bit of a let down he was to broody and a little bit pitiful, thank goodness Elinor is there.

Michael inherited a failing estate and he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't marrying Elinor for her dowry and prove to Elinor and her Parents he was worthy of her. Michael was a soldier who started to work for the home office but during his last mission he was gravely injured and the rumors that he was less than a man because of them gave Elinor's father cause to break the engagment. Elinor fought tooth and nail against her father because of this so she snuck out to talk to Michael herself but Michael angry at himself for getting injured and his body failing him but also because Elinor's father said she agreed to cancel the wedding and even when she shows up to confront him to ask if this is what he really wants he turns her away.

Elinor gets angry at everyone even her closest friends and even when that anger has passed she is still angry with Michael and her parents. Elinor decides to attend her best friend's house party and while there she again a man her mother foisted on her Middleton. Even though she is still mad at Michael she still loves him but still unsure of their future together she strikes up a friendship with Middleton, who soon becomes smitten with her. Michael now faced with the prospect of losing Elinor forever has to convince Elinor he does and always will love her.

Overall, this was a really sweet book. I'm not one for love triangles but this barely registers as one. A.S Fenichel does well with the character development and the active setting. The romance was nice but out of all of it I loved Elinor and seeing the change she went through and how Michael just ended up loving her even more for it.

ARC REVIEW Tainted Bride by A.S. Fenichel

I love books like this, books that I know have been a labor of love and healing for the author. It's a very emotional and heartfelt story and knowing that so much of the author's self is put into makes it so much better. In her acknowledgements in the beginning of the book she says this book was part of a healing process, you can tell the emotion behind the hurt and the tragedy was palpable. The writing was beautifully done, the character development was clear and well done. Lady Daphne is a great supporting character, she was exactly what Sophia needed. Dorothea was another great supporting character outspoken, straightforward and fearless and the voice of reason when Sophia needed it the most. Sophia and Daniel are perfect for each other it's plain as day but the process of them realizing it is a difficult one but so sweet of an outcome.

Sophia was foisted on to her great aunt so she could have a season in London after an event that ruined her first season in Philadelphia three years ago. Sophia has resigned herself to never get married she plans to just go through the motions to appease Aunt Daphne but she won't marry. Even after meeting the dashing Daniel Fallon the Earl of Marlton who makes her stomach go aflutter she can not allow herself to love him. Daniel had no immediate plans to marry but just after one night, one ball Daniel can think of noone else but Sophia. Daniel has reservations, he feels like he can't trust himself after what happened last time, and he won't be taken for a fool this time. When the villain from Sophia's past who ruined her shows up in London, Sophia is scared and shocked especially when a rumor about her not being innocent comes out in the paper. Daniel can't help but believe what he heard but something about how Sophia acts doesn't ring true about the rumor. Sophia tells Daniel the truth about what happened three years ago and why she can never marry. Daniel does the unexpected and proposes and after some convincing that Sophia can stand the touch of a man as long as it was done in love Sophia agrees. But it's only the beginning, tragedy strikes and Sophia falls into a bout of depression. Daniel is trying to find out the way to ruin the blackguard who ruined his Sophie and deal with his distraught wife until Daniel disappears.

Overall, it was a great story. Sophia learns that friends and family can help you get through whatever tragedy may happen and love heals.          

ARC REVIEW Deception by A.S. Fenichel

I am really loving this series. I have had book one, Ascension, on my TBR list and when I saw this one up for review on NetGalley I grabbed it and read them both back to back. I love the Regency setting in a fantasy/paranormal type story; like a Regency Urban Fantasy. It was done well not flawlessly but I liked how Fenichel worked it. Ascension was a great first book a great introduction. Deception was really good as well Lillian is absolutely awesome. When I get around to making my Steampunk costume I am making it with a skirt like hers.

Lillian Dellacourt is the best demon hunter The Company has and with the Demon Master closer than ever to entering our world. With a new partner in tow Lilly must find a way to stop it from happening and find the leak somewhere in their organization. Dorian Lambert has always acted as the right hand man to Drake Cullum, the man in charge of The Company, and now he finds himself partnered up with the woman he has been in love with since she became a hunter.

Lillian is out to find what dark secrets hide behind the Earl of Shafton and Dorian was sent to keep an eye on her. Together they unravel the bumpy history of the Company and find out where the Demon Master is trying to come through next all while trying not to fall into each others arms. Lillian keeps pushing Dorian away because his French title, one he refuses to use; and Dorian keeps trying to tell her it doesn't matter he would love her no matter what.

Overall, while I do love the books the one thing that bugged me is that it is the same as the first, the bare bones of the book are the same. Boy and Girl are in love, girl pushes boy away, boy finds out girl's secret, they make love, and a family member kidnapped. Yeah a lot of books have the same trope and other similar things but in a series with them so close it's noticeable. Other than that I look forward to more in the series.