bookreview – Sincerely Karen Jo

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Hello my lovelies! Today, I’ll be sharing my review for Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker, a Proper Romance novel published by Shadow Mountain Publishing.

If you’ve read my previous posts or follow me on Instagram, then you know that I was in a weird reading funk and it definitely wasn’t all that great. I got behind on my TBR and reading just felt meh for me. It took a while to get out of it which totally sucked cause there’s so many awesome new releases and all I could do was stare at my ARCs and eARCs. I’m personally a mood reader and if I’m not in the mood, then I’m most likely not going to enjoy anything even if it’s something I love to read. My emotions really get the best of me sometimes and there are just bad days… or even weeks. Well, thank goodness that slump has come and gone and I think I’m pretty much over it now.

So, why am I telling you this? Well, while I was on this reading slump, I took it day by day. I only read when my mind wasn’t being ovewhelmed by work, or life, and whatever is going on in our world right now. That’s the reason why my review for this book is late. I do have to say that if I wasn’t on this reading slump, I definitely would have devoured this book in a day cause it’s such a delightful, fun, and romantic story and it made me laugh and swoon so many times.

Whew! That was a long personal side note/update… Now, let’s get back to this gorgeous book and my review.

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LakeshirePark

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abouthebook2

Published: April, 7, 2020

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

ISBN: 9781629727349

Retail Price: $15.99

Page Count: Paperback, 320

Genre(s): Fiction, Romance, Regency

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Cover Art: Lee Avison/Trevillion Images; Abigail Miles/Arcangel

Art Direction: Richard Erickson Design: Heather G. Ward

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purchaselinks

AMAZON – BOOKSAMILLION – DESERET BOOK – BARNES AND NOBLE – INDIEBOUND

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synopsis4

Brighton, England 1820

Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

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praiseforthebook

“This gentle love story is a treat.”

–Publishers Weekly

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“Walker effortlessly amplifies the decorum of Regency England with chic wit and delightful characters who will stop at nothing to reach their nuptial goals.”

–Booklist

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mythoughts

A Stunning, Irresistibly Charming, and Utterly Sweet Romance Story that Stole a Piece of My Heart.

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“Love is a topic all its own. But I agree with Miss Moore. It is not guaranteed. Only the luckiest among us will have it. And once it is found, it should be most agressively fough for.”

(Quote taken from ARC and may differ from final publication).

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Megan Walker has written a stunning, irresistible, and utterly sweet romance story that stole a piece of my heart! It took me a while to get through this beautiful book, but I had so much fun reading Lakeshire Park from start to finish. It’s funny, cute, entertaining, and so darn swoony. I absolutely loved the storyline, the charming characters, the adorable romance, and all the wonderfully affecting moments.

I loved Amelia and Peter from the moment they met and I knew in my heart that I would enjoy seeing them fall for each other. I felt the delicious swoons, tension, and chemistry from their adorable meet cute and I couldn’t wait for more. Walker does not disappoint and delivers some of the best romantic and humorous scenes that made me smile, blush, and laugh. While I love so many great things about this book, the interactions between Amelia and Peter are definitely some of favorites. I loved their flirtatious and silly banter, and the way the challenged each other. I thought their little arrangement was fun and I enjoyed seeing them slowly trust and fall for each other. They had so many aww, fun, and endearing moments and I just couldn’t get enough of them.

Walker’s writing style is amazing and really makes reader feel like part of the story. The pacing is also really good and there’s an easy flow to the narrative. I think everything progressed in a beautiful and believable way and there was never a rushed or dull moment. The plot is fun, engaging and has one of the swooniest romance. There’s plenty of humor, drama, intrigue, and a few surprises. I also loved the gorgeous setting and exploring Lakeshire Park.

Amelia is a wonderful heroine and I loved her loyalty and dedication to her sister, Clara. I also admire her strength, passion, and kind heart. Peter is totally a swoonworthy book boyfriend and he absolutely charmed me from the start. He’s funny, caring, sweet, and also wants the best for sister, Georgiana. I think both Amelia and Peter are fascinating individuals and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I think they’re perfect together and their relationship is realistic and sweet, and satisfyingly romantic. The supporting characters are quite interesting too and I like them well enough.

Lakeshire Park is an absolute delight to read and will surely win the hearts of regency and romance fans. Megan Walker’s storytelling will instantly pull you in, play with your emotions, and fill your hearts with all the feels in the loveliest ways. This book is funny, dazzling, romantic and utterly breathtaking. Totally loved this gem and I honestly can’t recommend it enough.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. divider4

abouttheauthor

meganwalker
MEGAN WALKER was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education at Brigham Young University, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen, and the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and three children.

authorlinks

WESBITE – GOODREADS – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM

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Thanks for stopping by my loves! I hope you enjoyed reading this review. Don’t forget to add this book on your TBR or just grab yourself a copy now!

Until next time, take care, be safe, and happy reading!

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Happy Tuesday sweeties! Today, I’ll be sharing my review for Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack, the third book in the Mayfield Family Romance Series and published by Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I’ve been reading and really enjoying regency/historical romances and this book was another lovely story. Josi S. Kilpack wrote such a moving and heartfelt tale about love, second chances, and redemption. I had fun reading this book and I hope you grab yourself a copy cause this beauty is out today!

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rakes and roses

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abouthebook2

Published: May 5, 2020

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

ISBN: 9781629727356

Page Count: Paperback, 320

Genre(s): Fiction, Romance, Regency

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purchaselinks

AMAZON – BOOK DEPOSITORY – DESERET BOOK

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A Mayfield Family Romance

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally.

When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.

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mythoughts A Beautifully Written, Captivating, and Wonderfully Moving Romance that Absolutely Warmed My Heart

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Rakes and Roses is a beautifully written and captivating book that had me turning the pages late into the night and you know what… I’m not complaining. This was entertaining, fun, romantic, and such a wonderfully moving story that absolutely warmed my heart.

I haven’t read too many regency/historical romances and have never had the urge to pick them up until a few months ago. I’m personally into contemporary and paranormal romance stories, so I didn’t see the appeal with these type of romance books. I like to try new things and step out of my comfort zone, so I finally decided to give it a go and the rest is history. I’m still not super crazy about them and if given a choice, I’d probably pick other romance books, but regency/historical romances are suprisingly really enjoyable, interesting, gripping, and heartwarming. I’ve loved and enjoyed reading them and Rake and Roses is another beautiful story that kept me engrossed until the end.

I’m new to Josi S. Kilpack’s storytelling and have not read the previous books in the series, but after a few pages into this book, I found myself quite intrigued and fascinated. While this can be read as a standalone, I think getting through the other books would have made my experience with this installment a little more satisfying. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I think Kilpack’s writing is just so lovely and irresistible that I can’t wait to read more from this series and her other works.

I love complex and flawed characters who go through changes for the better and become the best versions of who they can be. There is something sweetly satisfying and uplifting about healing and redemption stories and Kilpack definitely delivers. Sabrina and Harry are both amazing characters and I enjoyed getting to see them change and help each other heal. I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something beautiful and real. I rooted for both of them individually as characters and also for their romantic relationship. I enjoyed their amusing interactions, their fun and serious conversations, the delicious tension between them, and all their flirty, sweet, and romantic moments.

Overall, Rakes and Roses is fun, delighful, and heartwarming and I truly enjoyed it. I adore Sabrina and Harry and the side characters are pretty fun too. The writing is gorgeous, the plot is exciting, and story’s message is meaningful and important. This was such a wonderful and a heartfelt story and I think all romance lovers would enjoy this.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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abouttheauthor

josi
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and has written thirty-three novels, one cookbook, and several short stories since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner, including two Novel of the Year awards for Lord Fenton’s Folly and As Wide as the Sky and a Best of State winner in Fiction. She writes her national women’s fiction under the pen name of Jessica Pack (say Josi Kilpack really fast and you’ll see why she chose it). Josi currently lives in Northern Utah and is the mother of 4 wonderful kids.