With One Look by by Cheryl Holt ~ Review

CHERYL HOLT dazzles readers once again with her new two-book SISTERS duet! It’s two fun, fast-paced, and dramatic tales of love forevermore…

JACKSON BENNETT is an army veteran who was seriously wounded in India while saving the life of a royal cousin. As his reward, he’s become the new Earl of Thornhill. But it’s an honor he doesn’t want. After barely surviving his final tour of duty, his view of life has been altered. He simply likes to loaf, gamble, and revel in every decadent activity he can find.

THEODORA CRONENWORTH is a dreamer and idealist who thinks the world should be a much fairer place, particularly for women. She works hard to improve women’s lives, and she definitely believes prominent men should behave better.

When Jackson meets Theodora, he’s humored by her energy and pluck, but he’s a confirmed bachelor who doesn’t think he could ever fall in love. With one look, he’s completely smitten, and with Theodora rattling his debauched existence, nothing will ever be the same.

Genre: Regency Period Historical Romance
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: June 19, 2024
Series: A Sisters Duet
Series Link:Amazon

WITH ONE LOOK: Amazon | Goodreads
WITH ONE KISS: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt from WITH ONE LOOK:

CHAPTER ONE

Theodora Cronenworth, called Theo by her family, strolled down the London street toward her home. She’d just attended the latest rally of the Matron’s Brigade, and she was lost in thought, struggling to deduce why she was still a member.

The group claimed to have begun a crusade against the dandies and vixens of the demimonde. The city had become a den of iniquity and they were determined to clean it up. Illicit conduct was rampant, and from the most toplofty aristocrat to the lowliest opera dancer, people were openly wallowing in sin and vice.

There seemed to be no limit to their depravities and civic leaders ignored what was happening. In fact, many of them were the worst offenders. So the Brigade had been formed.

The ladies had shrouded themselves in the mantle of moral indignation, and their purported goal was to root about decadence, but from Theo’s perspective, they simply argued amongst themselves over which direction to take. They also liked to point fingers as to who was sufficiently devoted to the cause and who wasn’t.

When they finally chose a target, it was a female who had no power or rich friends to protect her. The Brigade liked to punch down at those who couldn’t fight back and their focus enraged Theo.

In her view, if a woman was lured into wickedness, it was always the fault of a corrupt man. She constantly suggested they shame some of the scoundrels who instigated so much of the trouble, but the group wouldn’t hear of it. She’d flat-out been apprised that they didn’t dare harass any important males, and their cowardice infuriated her. None of their motives were true and they were a gaggle of hypocrites.

Her stepmother, Georgina, had encouraged her to join. Theo was clever with words, and she’d been tasked with writing pamphlets that would spread their message, but any message she penned was watered down to irrelevance.

Though she never discussed it, her own family had been destroyed by a cad when she was a little girl. Her mother had run away with him and vanished forever. Theo had never learned his name or any other information about him, but he’d never been held to account for his mischief.

Shouldn’t he have been? Could any prominent gentleman ever be forced to answer for his dissolution? Shouldn’t women demand better behavior from them?

Well, if the tepid antics of the Matron’s Brigade were any indication, no changes would ever occur.

She shoved the issue out of her mind. It was a beautiful May afternoon, the sky clear, the temperature balmy, and it was silly to waste any energy fretting about the situation. She wasn’t the Brigade’s prisoner and she didn’t have to continue to participate.

***

This book was a light, airy, London historical romance and a nice break from the intense thrillers I’ve been reading lately! A warm weather beach read or cold weather cozy up by the fire book, perfect if you’re looking for a laid back romance with a hint of steam between the sheets… of paper 😉

There was so much scandal and debauchery going on behind closed doors, I’m not quite sure any of the characters were actually loyal at all! While flawed, the main characters definitely were likable and despite their impulsive and reckless choices, I did find myself rooting for them. Then we had the distasteful characters, you know, the ones you love to hate and root for their demise! Oh boy, were they disdainful! I really wanted each and every one of them to get what was coming to them!

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this virtual book tour, Providence Book Promotions

Tour Participants:

06/10 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
06/11 Showcase @ Books, Ramblings, and Tea
06/11 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ ashmanda. k
06/12 Showcase @ Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense
06/13 WITH ONE KISS Review @ Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
06/14 Showcase @ Literary Gold
06/16 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ The AR Critique
06/20 Review @ Hott Books
06/20 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews
06/27 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ Novels Alive
06/28 WITH ONE KISS Review @ Novels Alive
07/01 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ Country Mamas With Kids
07/07 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ Why Not? Because I Said So Book Reviews
07/08 WITH ONE KISS Review @ Why Not? Because I Said So Book Reviews
07/10 WITH ONE LOOK Review @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
07/11 WITH ONE KISS Review @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read

CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published over sixty novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans.

Catch Up With Cheryl Holt:
www.cherylholt.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @CherylHolt
Instagram – @cherylholtauthor
Twitter/X – @TheCherylHolt
Facebook – @officialcherylholt