A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries

Last but not least
5 stars

Celia Sharpe is the last unmarried Sharpe grandchild and has only 2 months to find a husband or her Gran plans to cut all of them off. Setting her sights on three eligible bachelors she plans to get a proposal, show that she can get married, cry off and still get the inheritance for her siblings.

Bow Street Runner, Jackson Pinter, has been hired to investigate Celia’s three suitors. But with Celia bedevilling Jackson both day and night, the last thing he wants to do is help her find a husband. But with danger lurking and passions stirring it doesn’t take long to realise that’s because he wants her for himself.

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This is the final book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series following The Truth About Lord Stoneville, A Hellion in her Bed, How to Woo a Reluctant Lady and To Wed A Wild Lord. It’s probably not essential that you read the books in order but I would strongly suggest that you do simply to get the back story and to get to know the characters.

I’ve been looking forward to Celia and Pinter’s story since the first book as I do love a couple that start off with an antagonistic relationship that turns to love. The book didn’t disappoint and the pair still had that passion and spark with each other even once the relationship progressed.

We really got to know Jackson and I felt both his desire for Celia and his anxiety over the barriers to their happily ever after. Celia, too, was a fine character that I liked and rooted for. She was impulsive, feisty but still had sense and intelligence.

I liked the fact that the other characters from the previous books appeared although I would have liked a bit more interactions between the couples. Gran was also on fine form with her meddling although if I’m honest she really irritated me with her unwillingness to unbend when Celia was so obviously unhappy.

As the last book in the series we finally find out the answer to the mystery of the parents’ death. This could easily have overwhelmed the romance but I’m happy to say that it sat alongside it nicely. I was slightly underwhelmed by the solving of the mystery but that’s probably just because it’s been built up over the course of five books. It couldn’t have gone any other way and I was still satisfied.

Despite the couple of niggles I’m still giving this book 5 stars as the writing is superb, the characters come to life and it’s a fantastic end to a series that I have really enjoyed. I’m glad to see that some of the secondary characters are to get their own stories so although the series ends, hopefully the characters that I’ve grown to love will appear again.

How to Woo A Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries

Excellent Regency romance

4 stars

Lady Minerva Sharpe needs to come up with the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother’s plans to cut off her grandchildren unless they marry. And getting herself engaged to a rogue sounds like the perfect plan.

Giles Masters is an extraordinary barrister and a delicious scoundrel – the perfect man to make Gran rescind her plans. But Giles has other reasons for saying yes to Minerva’s proposal. He wants her to stop using him as inspiration for her gothic novels, and, he wants to find a way to finally get into her heart.

This is the third book in Jeffries’ Hellions of Halstead Hall series coming after The Truth About Lord Stoneville and A Hellion in Her Bed. I suppose that you could read the books independently of each other or out of order but they do have a common storyline of the mystery of the Sharpe parents deaths and I feel these books would be better being read in sequence.

This was Minerva’s story and as set up in the last two books, her hero is the delightful rake, Giles Masters. Both characters were well rounded and had great depth – Minerva as the strong woman and Giles as the seducer and rogue. They worked together well and I liked the chemistry between the couple.

The mystery of the death of Minerva’s parents is still to be solved and I assume that it will get a step closer in the next book which will be Gabe’s story (the beginning of which was started in this book).

I enjoyed the story in this book although I would have liked to see a little bit more interaction between Oliver and Maria and Jarret and Annabel from the previous books. It wasn’t the best or most engaging book I’ve ever read but I enjoyed it and it really captured by attention. If you’re looking for a fun Regency romance or are reading the Hellions series then I would recommend this book to you. 4 stars.

A Hellion In Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries

A great addition to the series

4 stars

Determined to get out of his grandmother’s scheme to see him and his siblings married or disinherited, gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to run his family’s brewery for a year and stay as a bachelor. But that doesn’t mean that he can resist one last wager with the tempting Annabel Lake.

Annabel is determined to save her family’s own brewery so she makes a scandalous wager. If she wins then Jarret must help her save her brewery but if he wins she’ll agree to a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that will reveal long kept secrets and destroy the best laid plans. But who will end up gambling with their heart?

This is the second book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series and while you probably don’t have to read the first one (The Truth about Lord Stoneville) before reading this one, I do think it will help with the back story of the Sharpe family and the ongoing plot of their parents deaths if you read them in order. The book that follows on from this one is How to Woo a Reluctant Lady.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and while I really enjoyed this book and the romance, it didn’t knock my socks off like I wanted it to. Having said that, both Jarret and Annabel are great characters and I really enjoyed their scenes together and rooted for them to work things out. They had good chemistry and there were some nice sensual moments throughout the story. The plot was interesting and never got bogged down in brewing terminology. I would have preferred it if Annabel’s ‘secret’ hadn’t overshadowed the final parts of the book but I still got a good, romantic conclusion which is always a good thing.

If you’re a fan of Sabrina Jeffries, are reading the Hellions of Hallstead Hall series or just want to read an engaging and engrossing romantic story then I would definitely recommend this one to you.

The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

Engaging and well-written romance

4 Stars

Nineteen years ago, Oliver Sharpe, the future Marquess of Stoneville’s life changed when his parents died in mysterious circumstances. To survive the resulting scandal, Oliver resigned to live his life as an unrepentant rakehell. That was until his grandmother threatened to cut him off unless he settled down and wed.

In an effort to thwart his Gran’s plans, Oliver aims to bring home a fake fiancé fresh from a brothel. His plans go awry when he instead finds Maria Butterworth, a spirited young American who has come to England to search for her own errant fiancé. She’s far from the perfect fiancé but Oliver soon begins to realise she might be perfect for him.

This is the first in Jeffries new Hellions of Halstead Hall series focussing on five hell-raising brothers and sisters with a terrible scandal hanging over their heads. This first book focuses on the eldest brother and heir, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville who has appeared as a bit character in a few of Jeffries’ previous novels.

I really enjoyed this story and the interactions between Oliver and Maria. Oliver is my favourite type of hero – tortured, brooding and in desperate need of the love of a good woman. I also really liked Maria who was spirited and naïve without ever becoming a stereotype. Their interactions were typical of Jeffries – full of wit and spirit. I could have done with a bit more emotion in the story but I’m willing to admit that I might have set my expectations too high as I really enjoy Sabrina Jeffries’ books and was very much looking forward to this one.

The story was interesting, engaging and never did the underlying plot of the tragedy (a plotline I’m sure will run through the whole series) overshadow the romance.

Overall, if you’re looking for a well-written romance with endearing characters and a good, sound plot then you can’t go wrong with this engaging story. 4 stars.

Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries

Exciting and Entertaining Regency Romp
5 stars

When she was eighteen years of age, Charlotte Page made a rash mistake that changed the course of her life and made her live with a guilt that has never really gone away.

However she managed to start her life over as the respectable Mrs Charlotte Harris opening a prestigious school for girls with the help of an anonymous benefactor, "Cousin Michael".

Unbeknownst to her, "Cousin Michael" is the man from her past that she wronged so badly. To save her school, she now needs his help again - but will he be able to give it without revealing his identity and revealing all the ugly secret behind his charade?


This is the final book in Jeffries' School For Heiresses series coming after: (Never Seduce A Scoundrel, Only a Duke Will Do, Beware a Scot's Revenge, Let Sleeping Rogues Lie and Don't Bargain With the Devil. (There is also a short novella within the series in The School for Heiresses anthology). While it might be more satisfying if you have read the other books in the series, this story does stand alone quite nicely.

I really enjoyed this story - it was filled with excitement, love, sex, rogues, secrets, betrayals, murder and everything else you need to make a fantastic story. Both Charlotte and "Cousin Michael" are great characters, have fabulous chemistry but have enough problems and obstacles to overcome to keep the pages turning and make you not want to put the book down.

I have really enjoyed every book in the School For Heiresses series but this is definitely one of my favourites. It's lively, entertaining and really encompasses you in the Regency era and the love story. If you enjoy a good, satisfying Regency romance then I would definitely recommend this book to you. 5 stars.

Don't Bargain With The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries

Interesting and passionate romance

5 Stars

Beautiful but outspoken Lucinda Seton is distraught when she learns that the gorgeous Spaniard from the neighboring estate intends to turn his land into a pleasure garden thus ruining the School for Girls where Lucy works. Determined to stop him, she agrees to show him around and hopefully change his mind.

Diego Montalvo hasn’t really come to open a pleasure garden but rather to find the long lost granddaughter of a rich Spanish count and bring her back to Spain. If he is to succeed and gain his reward he only has to follow one rule – Lucy must be returned untouched. Easier said than done when the only reward he wants is Lucy herself.

This is the fifth book in the School for Heiresses series (after Never Seduce A Scoundrel, Only A Duke Will Do, Beware a Scot’s Revenge and Let Sleeping Rogues Lie). While the books do all tie together, there is no reason to have read the previous books to enjoy and understand this one.

I am a huge fan of Sabrina Jeffries and this latest book definitely lived up to my expectations. From the start, both Diego and Lucy were likeable characters that you can identify with and really get behind. I liked their chemistry together and the fact that both were passionate and fiery. Lucy was feisty without being a stereotype and Diego was a gorgeous, intense Spaniard – a perfect combination.

The back story of what really happened to Lucy was interesting and intriguing without ever being overly complicated. All the loose ends were tied up well making for a satisfying ending even if it did make you desperate to read the next book in the series, Wed Him Before You Bed Him which wraps up Charlotte’s story.

Overall, this was a well written, fun, lively and exciting romance novel that I would recommend to anyone. 5 stars.

Snowy Night With A Stranger

Readable historical romance

4 Stars

A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather

Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey – a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero’s name from Ned to Nick) didn’t help either.

WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries

Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff’s reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.

SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London

Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he’s hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do all American’s assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies – you won’t find woodchucks in Britain, for example.

Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and quite enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter’s night then you really can’t go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Let Sleeping Rogues Lie by Sabrina Jeffries

Engaging and exciting historical romance
5 stars

Madeline Prescott is determined that her new teaching role at Mrs Harris’s School for Young Ladies will help repair her father’s tarnished reputation. But that is until the devilishly handsome Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt tries to enrol his niece at the school.

With a reputation as a rakehell, there is only one way to ensure that the Viscount is truly willing to change his ways – get him to give “rake lessons” to the pupils to teach them how to learn to avoid unscrupulous gentlemen.

Madeline has always believed attraction is a scientific matter but there is nothing scientific about the way Anthony makes her feel. And as the pair are brought together, first to help the pupils and then to help Madeline’s father – Madeline knows she is playing with fire. For there is nothing more dangerous than a rake. Even more so when is trying so hard to behave himself!


This book is the fourth in Jeffries’ School For Heiresses series (after Never Seduce a Scoundrel, Only a Duke Will Do and Beware A Scot’s Revenge) and is a fantastic addition to the series. Despite that, it also stands alone quite nicely so there is no real need to have read the other books before reading this one.

Both Madeline and Anthony are stand out characters that really make this book. Madeline is intelligent, passionate and every thing she does is for a reason – there are certainly no stupid heroines in a Sabrina Jeffries novel. Anthony is the kind of character that you just love to read about. He’s sexy, alpha, a little arrogant with a dark and tortured past – the perfect hero to be tamed by love! Together the pair have delicious banter and hot chemistry which makes for some scorching reading in parts.

The story is fast paced, interesting and so rich in detail that you can’t help but be transported into the Regency times where this story is set. There is obviously a huge amount of research that has gone in to this book but at no point does it come across like a boring history lesson with the author simply telling us facts about the period for the sake of it. This gives the book an intelligent edge that is sometimes lacking in other books of the same genre.

Overall, this is another wonderful romance from Sabrina Jeffries. Intelligent, engaging, romantic and wonderfully written – you really can’t ask for more from a historical romance and it’s easy to see why Sabrina Jeffries is one of the best. Highly recommended and definitely worth the full 5 stars.

Beware A Scot's Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries

Absolutely amazing historical romance

5 stars

Lady Venetia Campbell is on a long overdue trip to her childhood home in Scotland when she is tricked and abducted by her father's sworn enemy Sir Lachlan Ross. Despite his threats - Venetia remembers him as the wild boy that she adored when they were neighbours growing up. Now an amazingly sexy man, Venetia realises he poses a far greater risk to her heart than her wellbeing. And despite grand plans to use Venetia as a weapon against her father things start to go wrong when secrets are revealed and stolen kisses become more enjoyable than they really should.

This book is another winner for Sabrina Jeffries and has to be one of the best books that I have read in a long time.

Venetia is strong and independent but has enough compassion and wit for me to really like her as a heroine. Lachlan as well is an excellent character - strong and amazingly stubborn yet he still manages to have moments of tenderness and aching vulnerability which are always a joy to read. And the thought of him in a kilt makes my knees weak!

Which leads me on to the setting for the book. Apart from the prologue - this book is set entirely in Scotland. I'll admit that I am often wary of books set in Scotland but I am very glad to say that there was absolutely nothing stereotypical about this book and everything was very well written and wonderfully accurate. You can really picture yourself in the real Scotland when reading. And luckily you don't have to read through cringe-worthy attempts at Scottish accents. Each character's dialogue was exactly how you would expect them to be if they came from the Highlands - very realistic.

The story itself is fast paced and a real page turner - I couldn't put it down. Venetia and Lachlan are so well matched that you're all but cheering for them to get together. They have real chemistry which also makes for some very enjoyably sexy scenes on their journey through Scotland.

All in all I thought this book was excellent and one not to be missed. Although part of the School For Heiresses Series (after Never Seduce A Scoundrel and Only a Duke Will Do) this book stands nicely on its own so you don't have to have read the others to read this story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys intelligent, fun, sexy and well-written romances. Definitely a 5 star read.

Only A Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries

Intelligent and engaging historical romance
5 Stars

Louisa North is a strong, independent, unmarried lady who is dedicated to her charitable work with her ladies’ reform group. She has no desire at all to marry. But that is before Simon Tremaine, Duke of Foxmoor - the man Louisa once loved, and who broke her heart - comes back from India where Louisa had him exiled. When he once again begins to pay her attentions and is hell bent on wooing her into marriage - Louisa is suspicious. Does he want to marry her because he loves her - or is it revenge? But when Simon’s schemes are uncovered, Louisa is determined to make him pay - with his body, soul and his heart.

Those people who have read Sabrina Jeffries Royal Brotherhood series will recognise Louise North as Marcus’s sister from To Pleasure a Prince. Although dealing with the same characters - this book can definitely stand on it’s own so you don’t need to have read To Pleasure a Prince to enjoy and understand this book.

The book itself is wonderful. The characters are engaging and believable with Louisa being a spirited lady without being brash, and Simon an arrogant duke with a believable touch of vulnerability about him. The exchanges between the two are charged and heated and their relationship throughout the book develops beautifully and is very enjoyable to read. The story is a cat and mouse tale with lots of secrets and hidden agendas to go along with the wooing and seduction. And the background of politics and reform makes this an intelligent, fresh read yet it never becomes heavy and bogged down with political detail.

I really enjoyed Only a Duke Will Do. Sabrina Jeffries writes a fast-paced, fun and clever book that fans of historical romances are sure to love. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of Sabrina Jeffries and those looking for a romance with intelligent, strong characters and an interesting storyline - I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed.