The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman

When she was fifteen, Lady Alexandra Hobbs, second daughter of the Duke of Huntley, encountered Lord Owen Monroe and fell immediately in love. It's too bad that he's such a rogue. With such a bad reputation. And it's really unfortunate that he's going to be engaged to her incredibly sister Lavinia.
Lord Owen doesn't especially want to marry the oldest daughter of the Duke. Hell, he can't even remember who she is. But his father is tired of hearing all the gossip about Owen and wants him to settle down. Owen isn't interested. Especially once he finally figures out who Lavinia is -- her reputation being, possibly, worse than his. But his inheritance is on the line so when Alexandra, who he christens Alex, offers to help, he readily accepts. Too bad he's so much more attracted to her.
A good story that regular readers of Bowman will enjoy as will new-to-her readers. The last Big Misunderstanding was solved rather quickly so I'm not sure why it was included and I was a bit frustrated by Owen but overall a good book.
I am very interested to read the next book in the series. Especially since both the decent-seeming Lord Berkeley and Belle of the Season Sarah Highgate both seem to be heading to Scotland.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out May 3
Followed by The Legendary Lord

The Girl from Summer Hill by Jude Deveraux

Deveraux's books for me can be good or WAY too twee. This book was quite fun. Especially with the play on Pride and Prejudice with chapters that were just fun. Of course, knowing P&P made particularly squirm-worthy when Tate Lander's (Mr. Darcy) ex-brother-in-law Devlin manages to pull the wool over Casey's eyes. The phrasing is the same as ever, just a little TSTL, but in a re-working of an old favorite, it really works.
Acacia "Casey" Reddick is sipping her tea one morning when she's shocked to see a man come jogging into her yard, onto her porch, and then... he strips down. And takes a shower. Then, he runs in yelling at her before storming out again.
Tatton "Tate" Landers (where the HELL do these names come from? I mean, I know where they come from  but as names for romance characters?) is a bona fide Hollywood hunk. He's been typecast into the role of the brooding hero in period pieces. Which is fine as long as the paparazzi isn't following him around taking pictures when he's supposed to be on his down time. Tate's only in Spring Hill as a favor to a long-lost relative who helped Tate buy his family's estate. How annoying that he has to read for Mr. Darcy in the community theater play. But that's what you do for family. And, if you're Tate, that includes family you'd rather forget (i.e. Devlin).
I really dislike the "I'm on the pill so let's forgo condoms" especially in an otherwise very cute novel. I mean, it's nice that it was included but there are SO many other reasons to use condoms than just birth control (all of them STDs). Definitely took me out of the story and knocked it down a half star overall.
Four Stars
Will be published May 3

The Useful Book by Sharon and David Bowers

Exactly what the title says with few frills and furbelows, this book covers sewing, cooking, metalwork, woodworking, plumbing, electrical, laundry, and more. Each part starts with a picture of all of the items you will need to complete anything in that particular chapter. This might be cleaning items, tools, or any number of items. Then there are three to five-ish descriptions of how to actually accomplish things like sewing on a button or fixing a tile.
Can you find most of these things online? Of course. But this would be a nice collection of all of the things a new graduate might need in order to be a good adult.

This book comes out May 3.

The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly

Ivy has been summoned to Brookstone. Her twin sister Scarlet, the more vibrant twin, has died of the flu and Ivy is to replace her. Literally. She is to <i>become</i> Scarlet. But that seems like an impossible mission even before Ivy finds Scarlet's diary. Is it possible that there is more to the story? And what is the mysterious reason that Penny seems to hate Scarlet so very much?
By becoming Scarlet, Ivy finds reserves within herself that she never knew she had. Up to and including standing up to the very mean Penny and the truly terrifying headmistress.
A fast and fun read. A mostly satisfying ending but I was glad to see that this was only the first in a series since there are some threads left undone.

Friday Night Brides by Samantha Chase

It's an interesting book that can weave together the stories of four women (three just falling in love, one in a long-time committed relationship). Of course, it did mean that some relationship issues were skated over rather quickly and the characters weren't super-well developed but for what it was, it wasn't a bad book.
Hailey, Becca, Ella, and Angie have been friends since they were five years old. And since that time, they've participated in the Friday night shows (ranging from intimate to conference size) that Hailey's mother, a bridal shop owner has put on. They've grown through flower girls to attendants and now brides. Each has her own set of issues concerning romance (that would have been fun to see developed in a full-size or at least novella length for each). Hailey has been infatuated with one of the groom models for over a year but hasn't made a move. Becca's just been dumped by her high school crush after six months of dating (cruelly, and in front of a hipster(!)). Angie met a fantastic man who she had been hooking up with until he ghosted months ago. Ella has been dating her dream man since sixth grade, they're just having problems getting to the wedding of their dreams.
Some grammar issues which I didn't count against the book since it was an ARC but I hope it gets fixed before it's printed. Also didn't love the ending which suffered because of trying to wedge four HEAs into the end of one book.
Three and a half stars
Book comes out on May 3

Fire Bound by Christine Feehan

Major trigger warnings in this book. No seriously. Lots of trigger warning scenes to be had.
Lissa Piner has figured out that she's destined to be paired with a Prakenskii. But that doesn't mean she has to be happy about it. Especially when she finds him posing as a bodyguard at her uncle's house. The uncle that the rest of the women in this series know nothing about. Oh! That's because she has a whole double-life. One that Casimir Prakenskii is going to help her break out of. And, like, 4/5 of the book is them going after her enemies. And then the Big Bad from the rest of the series, the guy that put Casimir and his brothers through these torturous schools? He's met and dealt with in the final 1/5 of the book.
Why did I give this book two and a half? I don't know. I had so many, many... many issues with this book. Issues like the fact that Casimir is a douche. Not even barely likeable. Which makes me wonder about the last book in the series with a hero who seems like he might be douchier. I quite frankly couldn't really tell how his "dominance" was different from that of the supposed bad guy. Another problem I had with this book? The ENDLESS repetition of details. I get that you might have to repeat things once. Twice seems like overkill, so when this happens with more than one point of fact.... blergh.Oh. And there's sex on a horse. So there's that.In a series of crazy-pants stories, this is the craziest-pantsiest of them all. I'll probably read the last book in the series and then lay off Feehan for awhile. Though it is a testament to her writing that I had such HUGE issues and didn't DNF. And that it came out above two stars.


Two and a half stars
This book comes out April 26

How to Manage a Marquess by Sally MacKenzie

I was so excited for this second book in the Spinster House series and, while it was pretty much a regular MacKenzie romp, I was thrown off by a couple of things. First, the word "cock" was used a lot. A LOT. I have no issues with the word but, Good Golly, how many times does this need to be mentioned. Also, I really didn’t like Anne’s father. I get his storyline as an impetus for Anne to need the Spinster House but it sort of felt forced. Sort of like the way Anne and Nate kept getting forced together.

Anne Davenport is twenty-six years old and it appears that her father is about to marry a woman who is twenty-five. She is used to a life of independence and thinks that the Spinster House is a perfect way to keep in control of her life. Too bad her friend Cat wins the draw.

Nate, Marquess of Haywood, is relieved that Cat will be living in the Spinster House. That means she won’t be marrying his cousin, the Duke of Hart. See, there’s this curse… oh, just read the first book. Nate's not interested in marriage for himself because he has to keep his eye out for his cousin. Too bad the tempting Anne Davenport keeps drawing his eye.

Followed by When to Engage an Earl