2 Books for the Perfect Weekend of Romance and Relaxation

by MK French

Do you need a little R&R - Romance & Relaxation? I have the perfect romance novels for you to toss in your bag for that perfect weekend giveaway that you have planned.

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How To Train Your Earl by Amelia Grey

April 2021; St. Martin's; 978-1250218803
ebook, print (352 pages); Regency romance

Widow Brina Field is content to help others and has no intention of ever marrying again. The new Earl of Blacknight had never thought he'd inherit, so Zane had lived it up as a rogue. Now that he needs to be respectable and care for an earldom, he enlists Brina's help to coach him. He'd already bet he'd win her hand, however, and she's determined to remain single. The chase is on...

This is the third book of the First Comes Love trilogy, after The Earl Next Door and Gone With the Rogue (read my review). Somehow, even with Zane acting in such an imperious manner, it doesn't come across as mean. Perhaps because he told Brina immediately after making the bet at White's, and accepted all of her anger as just. He never once said she wasn't entitled to the anger she felt, and offered her the chance to talk with him at every turn. He accepted that he would have to earn her trust and regard, and actively worked to do so. That is pretty much what every romance hero must do, and he does it cheerfully, making sure that Brina doesn't feel too uncomfortable with his advances.

Thankfully, the requisite problem that temporarily separates our hero and heroine is not a miscommunication that would have been easily fixed if they just talked with each other. Zane absolutely knew what he was doing, though he had an honorable reason for breaking his promise. It was revealed, saving the relationship, and Brina was clever enough to do it on her own terms. I really liked both of them in this and enjoyed seeing how they would come together when everyone was sure they were too different. It's part of the charm in Regency romance novels, and this one certainly won't disappoint.

Buy How to Train Your Earl at Amazon

It Takes a Thief by Sloane Steele

April 2021; Carina Press; ebook (274 pages)
action & adventure romance

Jared Towers and his cousin Mia were affected by their fathers' crimes. Now he's a fixer and uses his connections to bring a thief and hacker together for an art heist. As the hacker, Audrey just wants the money so she can afford care for her grandmother with dementia. Their orbits never would have connected in person if not for the job, and there's more at stake than a stolen painting.

I really liked Audrey, isolated and shy in the beginning, with her only connection to the "real world" being her roommate, job, grandmother, and assisted living staff. She still had a sense of sass along with her humor as she ribbed her unnamed benefactor online. Jared came in on Mia's plan to humiliate the men assisting their fathers and wants to have a hands-on approach. This is especially true when he meets Audrey; they have an instant attraction that they eventually give in to. He doesn't explain who he is, who Mia is, or why they're putting together this elaborate plan, so it all blows up in his face.

Think of this as the romance novel version of Leverage, if you enjoy bad guys getting one over on worse guys. I hope there's more to this series because all of the characters in it were lots of fun, not just Audrey and Jared.

Buy It Takes a Thief at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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