Top Five Reads of April 2025 – Historical Romance Books

Summer in the City by Alex Aster (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Lots of witty banter here and a very fun fake-dating story. Elle pretty much hates New York City and especially hates it when a stairwell hook-up at a club goes wrong. Two years later, she finds herself back in the city with major writer’s block trying to finish a screenplay that takes place there. Oh, and that stairwell hook-up lives next door. Parker is some tech billionaire who totally insulted her all those years ago and sort of rage-fuels Elle’s writing. He also needs a fake girlfriend for the Summer and asks Elle to take on the role. She figures she needs a sight-seeing buddy and there’s that whole writing muse thing, so she goes along with it. We get to see her slowly start to trust Parker, him being a strange mix of stoic and sweet, and a true relationship develop. I had a lot of fun reading this book and definitely recommend it.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle (2025)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Princes of London series. Super fun adventure-type romance between an outspoken bluestocking and a gruff Scotland Yard inspector. Alexandra (Allie to her friends and family) has been left behind to run the family antique shop while her siblings are off on an excavation and she overhears some possibly nefarious plotting at the coffee shop next door. She’s instantly off to Scotland Yard to warn someone and instantly connects with Ben, the serious inspector she meets there. Ben’s pretty much the only person to take her seriously, so she’s extra impressed by him. It’s most definitely instant attraction for both of these two, but they’re doing their best to keep things professional. Somehow, they end up entangled with each other through this mystery and have to team up to put all their clues together. Really enjoyable read.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

How to Get Away with Marriage by Fenna Edgewood (2022)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Must Love Scandal series. Fake engagement for inheritance plot. We’ve met the amiable Hugh Cavendish in a previous book, but now he’s up for a fake engagement plot to show his aunt that he’s mature enough to collect his inheritance. He does not want to marry the spoiled and vain Edith who he had a childhood crush on, so would rather advertise for a fake fiancee in the newspaper. He never ends up doing that because he fake proposes to a schoolteacher in trouble instead. Triss is in need of a new position due to unwanted advances from a patron of the school and very hesitantly takes the fake fiancee job, despite the vast differences in her and Hugh’s social station. I loved seeing Hugh demonstrate what a great guy he is and Triss slowly start to trust him. I also enjoyed seeing Hugh’s loving relationship with his family and that we get to see all our favorite characters from Edgewood’s previous books.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

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Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James (2025)

Historical romance. Georgian-era England. Book 2 of the Accidental Brides series. Clara is a walking scandal after hitting the prince with her reticule. On her way to Scotland to stay with her aunt, she hitches a ride with another carriage who’s there to pick up a new housekeeper. She’s clearly not a housekeeper and an even worse fake housekeeper, but she’s befriended the driver and she’s on her way. Caelan is the widowed laird who has basically let his estate go to rot because he’s completely apathetic and rustic. But the whole town thinks that he’s heartbroken over the loss of his wife and he doesn’t even have the interest to correct them. When Clara shows up as the new housekeeper, he knows she’s really a lady, but he’s instantly attracted to her and eventually decides he wants to keep her. I loved how delightfully messy these two people are and how they’re able to be fairly direct and honest with each other. It was a lot of fun to read their romance develop and get to know that meddlesome town Caelan oversees.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.

The Lady Who Left by Ginny B Moore (2025)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 4 of the Flower Sisters series. Loads of drama and angst with this book. Marigold is tired of being talked down to and takes a stand against her husband when he wants to send her sweet son off to a cruel school. She’s looking to divorce the man, but knows her case is shaky. She’s lucky that her new barrister, Archie, is so tenacious. She’s less lucky that they’re both attracted to each other and need to fight their feelings to keep things professional. Archie is super sweet and outgoing and charming, and also very protective of Marigold. Watching these two fall in love is an absolute delight. I loved how he was interested in almost anything that Marigold talks about and believes that she deserves care and love. He’s also absolutely amazing with her sons and treated them with so much respect. Loved this book.

Advance ebook provided by Ginny B Moore.