Book Review: Lies & Letters by Ashtyn Newbold

About the Book:

After a season in London, Charlotte Lyons is still regrettably unattached. With her family’s finances in peril, she is sent away with her sister to a bleak coastal town where she is expected to pursue a wealthy earl. Beautiful and talented, how could she possibly fail? But when her heart is captured by someone entirely unexpected, Charlotte finds herself caught up in a web of lies and intrigue. Between hardship and sorrow, she finds more than she bargained for, forced to choose between the life she once wanted and a new love she never imagined.

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My Thoughts: 

Lies & Letters is a stand-alone, historical romance by Ashtyn Newbold, though it briefly mentions Kellaway Manor from Mischief & Manors. The romance centers on James and Charlotte, although there is a lovely background romance for Clara, Charlotte’s sister. James leads the romance with Charlotte as a devoted, inspiring hero. Charlotte, however, is an unsympathetic female lead. Her cruelty toward Clara made me want to abandon the book, and even after her catalyst for change, Charlotte could be very selfish. I had a hard time liking her and it affected my enjoyment of the story.

However, Lies & Letters features a beautiful cover, a clean storyline, and some good quotes. I’ll share one from page 145: “Now be determined enough to love your flaws as much as your beauty. And be determined enough to approach the flaws you are capable of changing, and do it. Be a person you can love.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Unexpected Love Novella Collection

About the Book:

Around the turn of the century, matches were made for all sorts of reasons--whether to keep a family together or simply to make ends meet. But love has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places! With four historical romance stories in one, this fun anthology will sweep you from the dance floors of aristocracy to the hearths of country living, leading to love through the most unusual circumstances.

Ashbrook Abbey by Heather Chapman
Though decidedly against marriage, when Ambrose Notley discovers it may win him his uncle's good opinion (and his inheritance), he marries the orphaned Kate Mowbray. But will Kate be able to break down the walls that Ambrose has built around himself?

First Comes Marriage by Paula Kremser
When Letty's sister and husband unexpectedly die, a greedy uncle threatens to steal custody of the children and their money. David, Letty's brother-in-law, marries Letty in the hopes of retaining custody of their niece and nephew. But will this love for show become something deeper?

The Price of Her Heart by Mandi Ellsworth
When Faith McKinney witnesses a crime she shouldn't have seen, she's forced into hiding to protect her own life.As part of this, her uncle arranges her marriage to small-town sheriff Geoffrey. But when the men searching for her find Geoffrey as well, will he be able to protect her?

Beauty and the Beholder by Ashtyn Newbold
When a marriage arranged by chance brings Fanny and Percy together, they quickly learn that clashing personalities and battles of wit are not a recipe for a happy match. How could a marriage between quick enemies ever result in something such as love? But fate has a way of bringing even the most unlikely hearts together...

👉 Cedar Fort Books is currently offering physical copies of Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology on sale for $1.99. Click here to purchase. Be sure to check the price. I'm not sure how long the sale lasts. 👈

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My Thoughts:

Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology features novellas by Heather Chapman, Paula Kremser, Mandi Ellsworth, and Ashtyn Newbold. I have enjoyed full-length novels by Ashtyn Newbold and gave this collection a try based on her name and my fondness for the marriage-of-convenience trope. I was pleased with the diverse subject matter and unique settings, but I wished for more character development in each story. All the stories held plenty of romantic potential and worked within the novella form constraints to produce the anticipated happily ever after.

Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology will likely appeal to fans of clean and/or Christian romance who enjoy novellas. The Price of Her Heart by Mandi Ellsworth stands as my favorite story in this collection and I’ll be looking for additional novels by that author.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Mischief & Manors by Ashtyn Newbold

About the Book:

When Annette Downing and her mischievous little brothers were orphaned, Annette closed her heart off, dedicating her life to raising her brothers and protecting them from her abusive aunt. But when her hateful aunt sends them to Kellaway Manor for the summer to reform the boys, Annette is reunited with the handsome Owen Kellaway, a childhood friend just as mischievous as her brothers. She soon finds her closeted heart in jeopardy in the battle between fear and desire. 

Does she have room in her heart for another?

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My Thoughts:

There’s no telling how many times I laughed out loud while reading Mischief & Manors by Ashtyn Newbold. Flowing humor integrated into the family atmosphere at Kellaway Manor whether it was banter between Owen and Annette, the mischief of Annette’s young brothers, or the antics of Grandma.

Beyond the humor, the steady romance between Annette and Owen kept me turning the pages of Mischief & Manors. I loved the witty teasing, delightful flirtation, and swoony moments. As their growing affection faced obstacles from within and without, tension mounted until the beautiful blossoming of their love.  

Mischief & Manors stands as Ashtyn Newbold’s debut novel, but it is my personal favorite out of the ones I have read by her. I found the book highly enjoyable and look forward to reading more novels by this author. 4.5 Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

First Line Fridays: Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold.

"'I thought you would be better at piquet,' I said, raising my eyes above a perfectly fanned hand of cards.."

Road to Rosewood was my first novel by Ashtyn Newbold and I'm eager to read more of her work. You can read my review here.

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!

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About the Book:

Growing up in a dreary coastal town, Lucy Abbot has secretly dreamt of a perfect and exciting romance, missing the childhood summers spent in the countryside with her cousins and their charming neighbor, Nicholas. After Lucy learns that Nicholas has been married in the six years of her absence, she is heartbroken and more determined than ever to move beyond her past and claim her independence.

Lonely and confined, Lucy grasps an opportunity to return to the estate of Rosewood at her cousin’s invitation, hoping the escape will lift her spirits, keeping her departure secret from her protective parents.

But just as her journey is finally underway, her carriage is besieged by highwaymen with a familiar man leading them. Struggling through past heartbreak and fearing for her life in the present, Lucy can’t help but wonder—could this mysterious outlaw be exactly the person she has been searching for?

Book Review: Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold

About the Book:

Growing up in a dreary coastal town, Lucy Abbot has secretly dreamt of a perfect and exciting romance, missing the childhood summers spent in the countryside with her cousins and their charming neighbor, Nicholas. After Lucy learns that Nicholas has been married in the six years of her absence, she is heartbroken and more determined than ever to move beyond her past and claim her independence.

Lonely and confined, Lucy grasps an opportunity to return to the estate of Rosewood at her cousin’s invitation, hoping the escape will lift her spirits, keeping her departure secret from her protective parents.

But just as her journey is finally underway, her carriage is besieged by highwaymen with a familiar man leading them. Struggling through past heartbreak and fearing for her life in the present, Lucy can’t help but wonder—could this mysterious outlaw be exactly the person she has been searching for?

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My Thoughts:

I practically devoured Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold. This fast-paced, historical romance carried my attention from beginning to end. Although there was some insta-love between Lucy and Nicholas, I loved their chemistry and childhood backstory. Their rekindled relationship thoroughly entertained and kept me turning the pages. I sometimes wished the plot would slow down and flesh out certain issues, but overall, the novel was well-written.

Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold is the first book I have read by this author, and I am eager to read more by her. This novel does not include a faith element, but will likely appeal to readers who enjoy clean and/or Christian fiction. It is a lovely choice for anyone desiring a light, entertaining romance.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.