The Davenports by Krystal Marquis (2023)

I really wanted to like this one. The description sounded interesting:

In 1910, the Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they're not supposed to...  The first book in a breathless new series, The Davenports offers a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked, while delivering a totally escapist, swoon-worthy read. Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson and his family, it's the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.

All the elements were there. Good world building, 3D characters, interesting premise. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect. I made it about 40% through, decided I didn't care what happened. Marquis and her story could be really fun and interesting. I think it's all me and my mood. 

I'll probably pick it up later, but for now it's a DNF.

Longing by Mary Balogh (1994)

This is a standalone book by Mary Balogh. And boy, was it a saga! The audiobook was 14 hours long and it was really crammed full of events. It was chock-full of action and drama -- if you can use those words to describe a historical romance. While it was set in the 19th century, it wasn't the standard life-in-the-ton romance. Our hero is a Marquis, but it's mainly a story about the effect of the industrial revolution on regular people's lives. The ton is pretty abstract in this book because instead of Regency London or house parties in the countryside, our story takes place in Wales.

This book takes place 50 years after the French revolution during a time when the Industrial Revolution was changing society. This is a time in English history when workers were rioting because of terrible working conditions. For instance, because the price of steel drops, threatening their profits, the local mine owners cut their pay by 10%. (Not that the miners weren't living on the poverty line or anything.) And because only the gentry have voting rights, they can do this with impunity. A big specter that hangs over everything throughout the book was the Charter, a list of demands that the working man are going to present Parliament, asking for things like the vote and fair, safe working conditions and pay. 

Heartless (Georgian #1) by Mary Balogh (1995)

Synopsis: 

Life has taught Lucas Kendrick, Duke of Harndon, that a heart is a decided liability. Betrayed by his elder brother, rejected by his fiancée, banished by his father, and shunned by his mother, Luke fled to Paris, where he became the most sought-after bachelor in fashionable society.

Ten years later, fate has brought him back home to England as head of the family who rejected him. Unwilling as he is to be involved with them, he must assume responsibility for his younger siblings, the family estate he once loved—and the succession. He faces the prospect of marrying with the greatest reluctance—until he sees beguiling Lady Anna Marlowe across a ballroom one night.

Anna, far from being the bright-eyed innocent Luke takes her for, is no more a stranger to the shadows of a painful past than he is. But for her, marriage cannot so easily solve what is wrong in her life—not when a tormentor stalks her to the very doors of Bowden Abbey, where Luke and Anna must learn to trust in each other or risk any chance they may have for a happy future.

Review:

Lucas Kendrick has no wish to be back in the country of his birth, much less have anything to do with the family which rejected him ten years before. He certainly has no wish to marry. And yet, within the space of a week he does all this: returns to London, reacquaints himself with his mother and remaining siblings, and marries Anna, god-daughter of his uncle's long-term lover.

Salvation Day by Kali Wallace (2019)

This is the story of 2 people: Zahra Dove and Jaswinder (Jas) Bhattacharya. Both of their lives were changed by the tragedy that happened 10 years prior aboard the spaceship, House of Wisdom. 

Previously:

The House of Wisdom (HOW) was a science vessel where the best and brightest went to do their research. Among them were Jas's parents (and Jas, but he was only 12). A bioweapon was released onboard, killing everyone quickly (and painlessly). Jas was the only survivor, because his mother sent him away in one of her experimental ships before he could be infected.

Zahra's father, Dr. Lago, was a space archeologist who was part of the HOW's team until days before the outbreak, when he was removed from his post for hiding data from a satellite (UC33-X) sent back to Earth by one of the ships who left pre-Collapse.

The Collapse happened about 200 years prior, with humanity almost going extinct and society having to rebuild from the ground up. Humanity's now governed not by nation-states, but by the Councils. Life is quite good for its citizens (almost utopian), but its also rigidly structured (where conformity is king). For those who want to live outside this rigid structure, there's the Wastelands, with its decimated soil and scarce water. (But at least they're living free of tyranny.)

It is widely believed that, in retribution for his removal, Dr. Lago released the bioweapon. The ship's quarantine drones destroy anything that gets too close to the HOW so the culprit has never been confirmed. Anyone who might be able to turn them off died on the HOW (except for Jas). 

To escape persecution due to guilt by association, Zahra's family moved to the Wastelands of North America. There they joined the Family of Light, a group lead by a visionary genius named Adam. Everyone that is part of the family takes the Light last name. Adam hates the Councils for their tyranny and has decided that the only way to truly be free is to commandeer the HOW and escape to explore the stars (it's advanced engine will make it impossible to catch). 

The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe (2022)

I thought I'd like this collection of tales set in a future where memories are regulated. Those that are contrary to the government's agenda are erased. I mean, afrofuturistic novellas, what's not to like? Unfortunately, I didn't.

It seems my opinion is in the minority, but couldn't get into it. The lofty nature of the prose just left me outside the story. So I skipped ahead to the story of Raven and Akilah. The pair has just moved into a new apartment. Raven is in nursing school and works at a spa. She's also exhausted, on the edge of collapsing. Akilah's all about the cause -- helping further the rights and dignity of their people -- and seems to work from home. Maybe? All I know is that she's obnoxious. She doesn't really seem to do anything except get on her soapbox. Which often means criticizing Raven. 'Raven's supposed to be dedicated to the cause but she's too selfish.' She doesn't help Raven when she's in distress. She's mostly critical of Raven. At one point, Raven doesn't have her keys, Akilah knows it and isn't home to let her in. Her reasons (excuses) show that she didn't think about Raven at all.

The Comeback by Lily Chu (2022)

Beware the hot cousins of roommates...

I absolutely loved this story about Ari and Jihoon. She's a lawyer working towards making partner. He's run to Toronto to escape a bad breakup. Being together, at first, is awkward, but soon becomes easy. Soon it feels like home. But his secrets can't stay hidden forever. 

I love how this author writes well-rounded characters facing challenges, who work through those problems to out better, together, on the other side. Jihoon is absolutely swoon-worthy but he's not perfect (always a plus). Ari's strong, smart and capable and isn't perfect either. The challenge they face before their HEA doesn't feel forced, cliche or thrown in there because the third act needs to have one. 

Phillipa Soo did a great job giving voice to the different characters and helped make this a book that I couldn't put down or stop listening to. This is definitely one I'll listen to again. 

4.5 out of 5 stars

Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron by Julia Quinn (2022)

A madcap romantic adventure, Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron has appeared in several Julia Quinn novels and enthralled some of her most beloved characters. Now this delicious tale of love and peril is available for everyone to enjoy in this wonderfully unconventional graphic novel.

Born into a happy family that is tragically ravaged by smallpox, Miss Priscilla Butterworth uses her wits to survive a series of outlandish trials. Cruelly separated from her beloved mother and grandmother, the young girl is sent to live with a callous aunt who forces her to work for her keep. Eventually, the clever and tenderhearted Miss Butterworth makes her escape . . . a daring journey into the unknown that unexpectedly leads her to the “mad” baron and a lifetime of love.

I wanted to like this more than I did. 

Some of it was totally disturbing - like someone getting pecked to death by pigeons, or impaled on a poker and then struck by lightning (because poker as lighting rod, of course). 

Parts were pretty predictable - like her being the girl that the baron's Gramps saved from being impaled by a boar, and that boar then gores Grandpa who then dies from his wounds. (Of course, he wouldn't have been impaled if he wasn't so over-confident in his ability to handle the situation.) Like the cousin being a Bond villain.

The only thing that saved it for me was that it's supposed to be a gothic novel from the Regency period, so these shortfall are forgivable.

3 out of 5 stars