In Reading Recap posts, I’ve commented briefly on some of the books read, but never truly reviewed any book. {The closest was probably The Little Wartime Library, which hit me in the feels in a major way}. Many moons ago I had a book blog: posting reviews for every book I read; conducting author interviews; and I was a stop on many blog tours. It was a fun time. Then I changed jobs and as time got a little harder to come by, I wanted my reading to be for me instead of for the world. For several years, I didn’t even post reviews on Goodreads, just marked books read/gave them a star-rating. As time went on, and life shifted again {and again, and again}, I realized I missed blogging. Especially connecting with other readers and talking books.
While this is primarily the story of our journey to growing the farm/homestead of our dreams, this Farm Wife is a reader {and so is Mr}. So it’s only natural a little of the reading will spill into these posts and pages … I may feature a book now and then, or – like in this case – do mini reviews of books I’ve enjoyed and/or have thoughts about that need sharing.
A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes | Manda Collins | 2023 | Forever
This is the third book in the “Ladies Most Scandalous” series, and builds on characters introduced in previous books {thus containing some spoilers}, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Poppy and Langham have such a good vibe, and their story has all the things. Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and a fake engagement. Not to mention a murder mystery (or three?!). Oh, and a newly resurrected, potentially illegal, secret society. So many wild twists and turns, but such a good story. And I love that Poppy and Langham become friends first, before Feels and Desires enter the picture.
The Late Mrs. Willoughby | Claudia Gray | 2023 | Vintage
This is the second “Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery” and I hope there are many, many more to come. Not only are Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney delightful characters in their own right, but Gray is obviously *one of us* in terms of Jane Austen fangirling. She understands Jane’s original characters, and their stories, as well as the feelings of readers toward those characters and stories. And she’s graciously murdering off those we hate one-by-one, ha.
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal | Sophie Irwin | 2023 | Penguin
This book, y’all. This. Book. While not strictly an Austenesque novel, it’s impossible to miss the shades of Persuasion in this story. But it’s shades of Austen with a twist, a little extra flavor, and I am there for it. Because this not-exactly-a-retelling is exactly the Persuasion retelling I’ve been wanting my entire life. I give it all the stars, and my eternal thanks, for fixing the problems I have with Jane’s original and bringing new life and luster to such a familiar tale. {Now, of course, I find myself wanting to go stroll along the streets of Bath}.
Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think – and do you have recommendations for similar reads?
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