The School for Heiresses Book

Ten Reasons to Stay, Sabrina Jeffries
The new Earl of Monteith, Colin Hunt, discovers Eliza Crenshawe trying to steal a horse. Her trousers reveal she's got LADY PARTS so he gets MAN BONERS that resolve into EMOTIONS in 24 HOURS. YIKES.

This was SO FAST. Also kind of gross: Eliza is adamant that she does not want to be returned to her guardian (who is marrying her off to a friend of his and has slapped her) but Colin doesn't want to get involved??? Other than, y'know, sexually??? Eventually he decides that she needs to be saved and proposes marriage and she discovers her Uncle is Not That Bad. 2.5 stars.


After Midnight, Liz Carlyle
Martinique is the daughter of a half-black courtesan and a French nobleman who gets adopted by her mother's husband, who dies and leaves her in the care of his brother, who sends her to England for an education. Eventually, she ends up at a house party with Justin, Lord St. Vrain. Because of a mistaken dalliance, they bone and therefore end up engaged.

This was ... way too much for a short story. Not only do you have Martinique's sprawling backstory, you have the ongoing (and unresolved) history of why her adopted step-Uncle can't stand her (which apparently has to do with his unresolved lust for her mother??), you have St. Vrain and his mangst. And the fact that after knowing each other for like 4 hours and talking for 2 minutes of those AND the fact he's on his way to sleep with another houseguest, SOMEHOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THEY FALL IN LOVE? 1.5 stars.


The Merchant's Gift, Julia London
Grace Holcomb, back from finishing school, makes Fateful Eye Contact with Barrett Adlaine while shopping for cloth. He approaches her and she snubs him. This happens like eight billion times before they realize they're IN LOVE and willing to DEFY EVERYONE to be together.

The characterization of this was just not great. Barrett is continually rejected but continues to pursue Grace because he's ~enchanted by her while Grace is interested in Barrett while continually spouting bullshit about how she's gotta marry 'up' for her father. And it's exhausting and poorly done and ugh. 2 stars.


Mischief's Holiday, Renee Bernard
Alyssa Martin is a walking catastrophe. After getting rescued by a mysterious stranger (Leland Yates), she discovers he's a guest of her fathers for Christmas. They flirt until Alyssa's cousin shows up and wreaks havoc!!

This was actually very cute and I enjoyed it quite a bit. This is mostly to do with the fact that there is no turgid declarations of TRUE LOVE after only a handful of chapters. Instead, there's this very real sensation of burgeoning feelings and the intention of marriage and it felt comfortable and good. 4 stars.