Tag Archives: Lauren Smith

The Kilted Groom by Lauren Smith-review

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The Kilted Groom by Lauren Smith-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 2, 2025

Taking an antique ring to some stuffy old earl in Scotland should be easy right?

Ainsley Hazlewood has never been to Scotland. But when her grandmother’s last wish in her will is for Ainsley to return an old family ring to its rightful owners in Scotland, she can’t refuse.

Her first night doesn’t go as planned when her car gets stranded in mud and she’s rescued by a handsome, charming Scotsman named Leith. His dashing rescue and the cozy inn he takes her to in order to get out of the rain leads to a fiery night in bed that changes Ainsley’s life.

But when she wakes up alone, she reminds herself that it was just one night. She has a mission to fulfill. Armed with her family’s antique ring; she drives to the estate where she’s to return the ring.
Expecting to meet a grumpy old Scottish earl, she comes face-to-face with Leith instead. Will that one night of passion with her Scottish hero lead to a future filled with love?

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REVIEW:This book follows Ainsley Hazlewood, an American woman fulfilling her late grandmother’s final wish by traveling to Scotland to return an antique family ring to its rightful owners.

What starts as a simple errand quickly turns into an unexpected adventure when her car gets stuck in mud on her first night, leading to a heroic rescue by the charming Scotsman Leith. 😜

Their instant chemistry sparks a passionate one night stand at a cozy inn, but when Ainsley wakes to discover she’s alone, she thinks no more and returns to her task at hand. Only to find …. Da da daaaaa (yup you guessed it…) her hero is the very person she needs to see!! 😳

This is a quick, engaging read, perfect for a cozy afternoon.

It’s novella length, so the pacing is brisk and to the point.

It also hits most of the tropes along the way… the meet/cute rescue, the fiery night of passion, the shocking reunion, and the emotional journey toward a happily ever after, the spice level is satisfying without overwhelming the story.

I really liked Ainsley and Leith. Ainsley is determined to honour her grandmother’s wishes. And Leith brings that classic brooding yet charming Scottish hero vibe. 😉 I liked how they were tied the through generations (great great grandparents and that’s where the ring comes into it.)

Although short, it looks like the setting for maybe a new series 🤞 book two is set in the highlands, and so I hope to see more of Leith and Ainsley.

The description of the highlands had me thinking of another certain tv series with magic/stones and cheeky Scot’s 😜

I could easily imagine the heather swaying and the smells coming my way.

So, if your looking for a quick read with your coffee, then grab this one.

I can’t wait to come back and visit again.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

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Oops I Hexed Him Again by Lauren Smith-review

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Oops I Hexed Him Again by Lauren Smith-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 5, 2026

When magic goes wrong, love might be the only spell that works right.

As a hedge witch, Calli Wynter’s perfectly organized life revolves around her cozy bookstore, the magical herbs she cultivates, and her carefully curated magical spells. But when Malcolm “Mac” Wellesley—a half-warlock playboy with spectacularly unpredictable powers and far too much sexual attraction —accidentally destroys her prized pumpkins for the Halloween festival, her quiet world and her magic explode into delicious chaos.

Mac’s been avoiding his powerful warlock family and their expectations ever since his magic proved more “otherworldy disaster” than “mystical mastery.” Being heir to a bloodline like his is impossible to deny, and complicated, when he’s stuck in the quirky town of Moonstone Falls, trying to fix both Calli’s garden and get the sexy witch to give him a chance. What he doesn’t account for is Calli’s romantic heart and her patient wisdom tempting him to stop running altogether.

As autumn deepens and their attraction grows undeniable, Calli and Mac discover that their different magical styles create something beautiful when combined. But when Mac’s disapproving warlock father arrives demanding he fulfill his family duties, Mac must choose between the life planned for him and the magic he’s found with Calli.

Can a hedge witch and a half-warlock prove that the best magic happens when opposites attract? In Moonstone Falls, where every day feels like Halloween and love spells are strictly optional, Calli and Mac are about to discover that some enchantments are worth fighting for.

•••••

REVIEW:OOPS I HEXED HIM AGAIN by Lauren Smith is a contemporary, adult, erotic, paranormal, romance story focusing on hedge witch Calli Wynter, and blood warlock Malcolm ‘Mac’ Wellesley.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives (Calli and Malcolm) OOPS I HEXED HIM AGAIN follows in the aftermath of the introduction and relationship between our story line couple. Malcolm Wellesley is the son of a blood warlock, and a human female, a non-magical person but upon his birth, a prophecy foretold of great things for our story line hero, and a blood vow would ensure Malcolm took his place. Malcolm believes he has no magical powers and the magic he does possess is uncontrollable and potentially dangerous but when Malcolm accidentally opens a portal to Moonstone Falls, a small town inhabited by supernatural creatures, Malcolm will discover his fated mate, a hedge witch Calli Wynter, and a witch-lock bond may be the death of not only Moonstone Falls, but our couple as well.

The world building focuses on a prophecy; on a promise, and on Malcolm’s destiny to sit on the Salem Witch Council. Moonstone Falls is the answer to Malcolm’s struggling magic but once released, our hero will be deemed a threat but all is not as it appears to be, fate intervened years before, pushing our couple together.

The relationship between Calli and Malcolm is one of fated mates. Calli has offered to teach Malcolm how to control his magic and in doing so will discover their mutual attraction and need for one another. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of magical and colorful secondary and supporting supernatural characters. We are introduced to Calli’s friend and fellow witch Sage, warlock Jasper, yeti Finnigan, and Malcolm’s parents Reginald and Sarah Wellesley, council member Lady Serafina Batsford, and hunter Cain Henson, as well as Malcolm’s familiar Hades, and Calli’s familiar Persephone. I am hoping the author has plans for more instalments.

OOPS I HEXED HIM AGAIN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, discrimination, memories and history, fate and family. The premise is edgy and engaging; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Duke’s Carriage Window by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Duke’s Carriage Window by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
A woman cast out of the only home she’s ever known finds herself the new ward of a darkly handsome duke, and caught up in a dangerous mystery.

At the deathbed wish of the man who’d raised her as his child, Meredith Montague travels to London in hopes that the man’s nephew, the Duke of Tiverton, can help her navigate the London season and find a husband. But when she collides—literally—with Tiverton and is spellbound by him, she fears that the man in charge of her destiny might be a danger to her virtue and her heart. Things only get more complicated when she witnesses a murder, and the only person who believes her is Tiverton.

The last thing Darius St. John, the Duke of Tiverton, needs is a pretty young lady underfoot — especially a lady he is duty bound not to seduce, thanks to his late uncle’s request that Darius take Meredith as his ward and find her a husband. If keeping his hands off his beautiful ward wasn’t hard enough, he finds himself in close quarters with her as they work together to solve a murder and catch the killer before he can get away. Will his desire for Meredith put her life in more danger? Or will surrendering to his heart be the best way to keep them both safe?

 

 

Review 

Lauren Smith delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect (and enjoy) in this second installment of the Rogues of Devil’s Square series, a steamy, fast paced Regency romance laced with a dash of murder mystery intrigue. 

If you loved the friends to lovers tension and gothic tinged suspense of Book 1 (The Dark Maiden’s Carriage), you’ll feel right at home here, only this time the stakes feel a little higher and the chemistry is positively combustible. 😉 

Meredith Montague is the quintessential fish-out-of-water heroine, raised in the countryside by a kindly (if secretive) guardian, she’s suddenly thrust into the glittering, treacherous world of the London ton as the surprise ward of the brooding Darius St. John, Duke of Tiverton. One literal carriage collision later, sparks fly…. both romantic and murderous. 

When Meredith witnesses a killing that everyone else insists was an accident, only Darius believes her. Cue forced proximity, late night sleuthing, and a hero who’s trying very hard to be honorable while his ward parades around in nightgowns that apparently leave very little to the imagination. 😜 

The chemistry between Meredith and Darius is instant and delicious. Lauren Smith writes attraction with a capital A, stolen glances across ballrooms, accidental touches in dark corridors, and that classic “I’m not allowed to want you but I absolutely do” tension that makes guardian/ward tropes so addictive.

Perfect for readers who want their Dukes brooding, their heroines brave, and their endings happy. 😊 Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for a story full of tension, a murder in the mews, and a hero who absolutely cannot keep his hands (or lips) to himself. 😝 

Reviewed by Julie 

Copy provided by Author

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Her Wicked Highwayman by Lauren Smith -a Review

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Her Wicked Highwayman by Lauren Smith -a Review

 

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Description:
Rafe Lennox:

Notorious highwayman…

Infamous rake…

Adopter of orphans…

If there’s one thing about Rafe Lennox that the women of London know…it’s that his heart cannot be tamed, except perhaps by the little Scottish orphan he has claimed as a daughter. That doesn’t stop every eligible woman in London from trying to convince the outrageous flirt to put a ring on their finger after they tumble into his bed.

But Rafe has never been tempted by love to marry, until he robs a coach one night and he steals a necklace from a brave and beautiful woman. Rafe wants nothing more than to seduce the young lady into his bed, but another highwayman is encroaching on his territory, robbing the rich before he can get to them, and until he can stop this his competitor he has no time to woo. When he discovers the other thief is a woman…the infamous rogue’s heart is stolen forever. 

Has the black sheep of the Lennox family finally met his match and perhaps his end?

 

 

Review 

Her Wicked Highwayman by Lauren Smith is the 19th book in her wonderful The League of Rogues series.

Notorious Highway man, rake and womaniser, Rafe Lennox is all that and more, but what most people don’t know is that he adopted a young girl and calls her “daughter”.  He’s sworn never to love or marry…..

But all that changes when he holds a coach up and meets Diana, young, brave and beautiful. He’s instantly smitten and has plans to woo this young creature. But there is a fly in the ointment! Another highwayman is also robbing stage coaches! Does he ignore this fact, or does he plan to uncover this new rival and set him up to take the fall in both his and this new highwayman’s misdeeds? 

What happens when he uncovers the mystery man’s identity and finds out it’s a woman?! (Sort of guessed that one almost immediately 😉) 

Diana is now mistress of the manor, but it’s failing fast! She needs an income before the creditors come and take it away from her. Marriage is an option, but Diana wants to marry for love and that doesn’t look like it, so another avenue needs to be found and fast! 

This one has been my favourite in the series so far. We’ve met Rafe throughout the series, and I was thrilled to finally read his story. And for a few questions to be finally answered. Their first meeting might have been by chance, but Rafe wants to know more, and will do anything to make that happen….

The main characters are really likeable. And i absolutely loved how they found one another. Both have sad pasts, and that is yet another connection between the characters. Additional characters (especially Rafe’s daughter Isla, who was absolutely adorable) are never added for filler sake. And catching up with his brother and sister was a nice surprise (Ashton “Wicked Rivals” book 4 in the series, and Joanna’s book “Never Kiss a Scot” is book 10) 

And the villain of our story? Well, you’ll need to read the book in order to find out. 

Heartwarming and sad at the same time, angst filled and with loads of adventure, (all the things I’ve come to expect and love about this author). You’ll be rooting for the highwayman and booing at the “supposedly” good guy 😉 

I’m hoping Rafe’s friends will get books soon 🤞

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommended this book and the whole series (which you can dip in and out of, no need to really read in order.) 

🦋 Julie 

 

 

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Stranded by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Stranded by Lauren Smith – a Review

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This is an anthology with a number of authors.  But Stranded by Lauren Smith is the only book we are reviewing.

Songs of the Deep (book 2) anthology
Travel back beneath the waves with those who lost their lives beneath them. Saved by Posideon himself, these merpeople are more than they appear. The tides welcome you back for tales of revenge, love, and more.

Songs of the Deep Anthology – volume 2 brings tales from talented authors:
D.C. Gomez
MK Mancos
JC Brown & Lena Lane
Brigit Rosé
Nicole Zoltak
Lexi Ostrow
Whitney Gayle
Feral Thorne
Casia Pickering
Lauren Smith (Stranded)
Destinee Nagel
Laura Hawks
Laura Greenwood
Marie Catherine Regalado

 

Stranded Review:

Stranded by Lauren Smith is a novella, which is part of the Songs of the Deep Volume 2 Anthology.  Hudson doesn’t believe in mermaids. But he knows something took his parents from him on a dark and stormy night. And his uncle that was on the same boat was found muttering about something, and he doesn’t ever go on the water! And on stormy nights, his uncle hides in his home! 

And that’s where we find Hudson, on a boat in the middle of a storm! He’s sure he can hear his name being called…. He’s also very certain he’s seen something in the water! But nothing prepares him for finding a mermaid on his boat! A freaking mermaid! But she’s hurt! And Hudson’s instincts are to help, he’ll sort the rest out later…..

Talia was once human. Falling overboard one night at a boat party, she’s given the option of drowning! or becoming a mermaid! Living with her pod (group of merpeople) she’s happy, but she also longs to walk along the shore and return to being human…. 

It’s also instant attraction for Hudson, he’s totally besotted with his little mermaid. For Talia it started out as a vow to watch over him, slowly it turned into something else….

So how will a mermaid and human ever be together? 

This is a really short story, and I’d love the author to continue the story into a series (so much potential) it’s also in an anthology based on the sea. I haven’t read any of the other authors, but I’ve added it to my TBR list (I’ll return at some point.) 

It’s based really loosely on the little mermaid fairytale. 

I throughly enjoyed it, and I’m left wanting more (but in a good way 😉) 

🦋 Julie 

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The Care and Feeding of Rogues by Lauren Smith -a Review

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The Care and Feeding of Rogues by Lauren Smith -a Review

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Description:
Who could resist a wager from London’s most popular detective, Sherlock Holmes? Certainly not his scientist neighbor, Elise Hamblin.

The challenge: Study the primal nature of men; but not just any man for her study will do. Sherlock has chosen the Earl of March, a man with a scandalous and dangerous reputation.

Prospero Harrington has returned from exile to claim the title of Earl of March and his late father’s mounting debts. Desperate to secure his future, he responds to an intriguing ad and finds himself the subject of observation by a beautiful woman in exchange for a hefty payment.

Disguised as a man, Elise follows Prospero about London. Their close proximity and adventures provides a fascinating introduction to the world of men, passion, and desire.

Tragedy strikes and Elise must rely on the scandalous rogue she’s been studying. Enemies from Prospero’s dangerous past set their sights on the new earl and the woman who has won his heart, forcing him to face his past or lose Elise forever.

The Care and Feeding of Rogues is a stranger to lovers romance with a lady scientist and a scandalous rogue with a heart of gold. What starts out as a wager becomes the adventure of a lifetime, with a guaranteed HEA.

 

Review:

With Lauren Smith you can rely you’ll get a great story, and I did. 

Elise is a curious and very intelligent young woman, with a quick wit and curious nature. She’s a naturalist, but she’s also rather naive.

Prospero is a down on his fortune Earl. Back to claim his birthright (and a rather large amount of debt, courtesy of his father!). Needing a cash injection to set him on his way, we see Prospero accept a rather strange but intriguing ad. He’s to be followed/studied and observed doing his daily routine. A little strange granted, but the money will definitely come in handy. And the young lady is easy on the eye 😉 

There is a spark of interest almost straight away, but both are going to ignore it (Elise isn’t going to give up her independence and Prospero is single minded in his pursuit of wealth to bring to his title!).  I loved the side characters, and I’m hoping they get a book at some point in this new series.

But there is also danger, and it could put Elise if not both of them in mortal danger! Will Prospero’s unconventional education abroad help them in their hour of need? 

And the additional lure of Sherlock Holmes? Well I loved reading/watching anything about this infamous character. 

This was a book that mixes fact with fiction. It tries to show us the ways of how women were treated and looked upon in this era! They weren’t suppose to have minds/opinions or even a voice! 

A highly recommended read, it’s  a fun read, with fast pacing and enough spice to keep you reading. And the danger just adds to this amazing story.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied by Author

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Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Diamonds are a duke’s best friend…

When the infamously cold-hearted Duke of Helston decides to catch a gang of jewel thieves stealing from London’s elite circles, he never expects the thief to be a woman.

She’s not just any woman either…she happens to be the bewitching creature he met in the darkened corridor during a musicale who changed his life forever.

What’s a duke to do when he wants to catch a thief who not only stole his family diamond, but also his heart?

 

 

Review:

Dukes and Diamonds by Lauren Smith the first book in a new series. I really like how this author does both historical and paranormal stories. Dukes and Diamonds is the first book in a new Victorian Jewel trilogy featuring three women who come together to steal from the rich and give to the poor. (Very Robin Hood vibes.) 

Without her new found friends, Tabitha’s story might have turned out completely different! Stealing food to survive, her fathers death had left her destitute and all alone. Then stealing from the rich to give to the poor (but only the ones who deserved it!).

Fitzwilliam Seagrave (Fitz to friends) the cold-hearted Duke of Helston (the name the ladies of high society gave him) decides to catch an elusive gang of jewel thieves stealing from London’s elite circles. Setting a trap to catch the thief he never expects the thief to be a woman. And she’s not just any woman either…she happens to be the young lady he’s beginning to fall for, exchanging heated woods and a wonderful moment that has him thinking of wedlock! 

Fitz doesn’t believe or carry the notion of love. But spending illicit moments with Tabitha has him thinking thoughts he ought not to! And how can he marry a penniless young woman who he thinks is a thief? So beneath his station (arrogant man 😆) but with the help of his friends and grandmother (who is such a hoot) he’s taught a few valuable lessons. He just has to come up with a way of letting Tabitha know his feelings (and to stop her from stealing!) 

I liked Tabitha (although a little uncomfortable with her stealing, but I see why) her actions had a motive, and her wit had me chuckling throughout the book. I like that she wasn’t a shy and innocent maiden (he won’t be her first bedroom experience 😜) and lusted after her Duke. She’s loyal to her friends and a quick mind.

Her partners in crime are Julia and Hannah, and they make a great trio. And I’m hoping they both get a story as each young lady is such a laugh, but have their own stories of woe! 

Add in a few steamy interludes, the other  Robins and other side characters and it’s a good read. Throw in a little angst and a twist, and it turns from a good into a great read. 

I can’t wait to read who’s next. So what happens next? There has to be consequences to her actions. If she’s caught will she name her accomplices? And will Fitz forgive her, or turn her into the local constabulary? 

Reviewed by Julie 🦋

Copy supplied by Author

 

 

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The Scoundrel of Drury Lane by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Scoundrel of Drury Lane by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description
He was falsely accused and sentenced to die…

At nineteen, Christopher “Kit” Hollingsworth is spared the noose but sentenced to serve seven years in Australia as a convict. The men who betrayed him have plans to make sure he never returns to England. But Kit’s strong will and thirst for vengeance ensure his survival.

Seven long years later, he returns to London but he’s forever changed. Gone is the innocent, handsome young lad he’d been. Now Kit is a towering, muscular man of twenty-six with scars inside and out. He wants England to see the new him, the man who lost his soul, and he wants the three men who destroyed his life to forfeit theirs. The only light in his dark night is a beautiful, innocent young woman who paints the sets at the Drury Lane theater. 

There’s just one problem…she’s the daughter of one of the men who sent him to prison.

 

 

 

Review 

The Scoundrel of Drury Lane by Lauren Smith is a Regency romance. I do love a period romance, and I absolutely love this author. So when a new book appears it’s an instant read for me. 

It’s the seventh book in this series. It’s also a spinoff for a new series “The Rogues of Devil’s square.” So technically it’s book one ? it stands in its own, so no need to read the previous books. And as the other books are by different authors I’m assuming the author tends to take this book and turn it into a new series ? 

Kit was sent to Australia as a convict! Why? Well I’d tell you, but it would spoil the book, so you’ll have to find out for yourself ? 

He plans to hunt and take his revenge on the men that sent him to hell. They never expected him to return. But he did, and Kit is going to make them pay with the help of his friends (which sets up the next couple of books ?) his first task is to locate the men that betrayed him, and his friends are already on the task. Feeding him information gives Kit the feeling that his friends hadn’t forgotten him, and were going to exact revenge on his behalf. He is upset and angry that his first target has died! But finds out he had a daughter, Kit plans to make the woman give him the money stolen from him, and sets about making plans…..

It does remind me a little of the Count of Monte Cristo books. 

Suzannah isn’t your usual young lady, rich parents?  (in the past they were rather well off, now? Not so much) She’s use to getting her haves dirty and mucking in to help out. She’s also first to help someone out. 

Meeting Suzannah throws Kit into a conundrum! He’s smitten with the young woman, and can’t work out why she’s living a frugal life! She should be living in splendour, but no matter, he wants answers and his money! Suzannah is rather perplexed! This man claims her father stole his life and money!! 

The romance is the usual slow burn, but after reading so many instant love/lust books, it’s nice to read a buildup ? then we have the betrayal!! ? will Kit be able to look past at the turn of events with Suzannah? Or will his past dictate his future, and ruin the best thing that has ever happens to him?

The supporting characters were great, loved how Kit’s friends were still loyal and working in the background to find evidence of his innocence.

Another highly recommended read for anyone who loves a historical story with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

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