2 Series to Continue this Winter
While there is a special comfort in beginning a series that is already complete, ready to be binged from beginning to end, there is a different thrill in waiting for the next book to drop. Here are two series that have me eagerly awaiting their next installment.
Belvoir’s Library Series by Alexandra Vasti
I became a fan of Alexandra Vasti through her Halifax Hellions novella series, and immediately moved onto her full-length novel.
Ne’er Duke Well features an American-raised Duke who unexpectedly inherits and is trying to do right by his family. As his well-meaning but naive actions often land him in the eye of scandal, he turns to the astute Lady Selena for guidance. Though a comfortable attraction exists between them, she hesitates to bind her fate to his in fear of her own secrets coming to light. She curates a secret, but widely read, library collection of erotic materials with the purpose of educating and empowering society’s ladies.
I loved this book’s happily ever after, but the set up of the Belvoir Library and its Venus Collection is what made this book special. The lack of knowledge about sex among the women of the peerage is a common plot point in the genre, but women being in the know is so much more fun. Something else I appreciate about Vasti’s writing is that even the characters cautious about falling in love are gentle with one another and not cruel. I get the ick reading MMCs or FMCs intentionally hurt each other just to keep their distance. I appreciate her depiction of a healthier relationship with communication and less toxicity.
Earl Crush comes out very soon on January 21, 2025 and that is the day I will read it- or at least most of it. It follows the story of Lady Selina’s friend, Lydia Hope-Wallace. She is as clever as Selina with a keen political mind, despite her nerves and weak stomach. According to summaries, we can expect radical politics, a proposed marriage of convenience, tangled identities, and a drizzle of espionage. I’m all in!
Vasti is already teasing her third book of the series, Ladies in Hating. I’m super excited for this, as it follows the character of Lady Georgiana Cleave, who is also from Vasti’s Ne’er Duke Well. Cunning and mysterious, she’s the character I want to know more about. This book teases a sapphic romance between two novelists that I do not want to miss. Mark your calendars for its release on September 23, 2025.
The Queen’s Deady Damsels by Darcy McGuire
Badass female spies demanding justice for Queen Victoria. Former military men investigating for the prime minister. Although they are working to bring down the same criminal network, their ideals of executing justice diverge. Shared priorities have these spies crossing paths, providing the essential environment to spark a romance. This series gets extra bonus points from me for it’s attention to female friendships and mentorship. Watch out for Lady Phillipa. She channels Bridgerton’s Lady Danbury, if Bridgerton was a spy novel.
The Secret Life of a Lady follows Hannah Simmons, a quiet lady’s maid who disappears into the shadows. Her invisibility, along with her formidable skills in combat make her unmatched in her abilIty to punish criminals. However, Lieutenant General Robert Killian, Duke of Covington, finds himself unable to keep his eyes off her, admiring her abilities as they follow the same path of their investigations. Suspicious of one another and wanting to be the first to find the murderer of a young woman, they decide to keep each other close.
Hannah and Killian make a powerhouse of a couple, and Killian’s appreciation for our FMC is such a sweet spot for this book. As someone who often scrolls through my phone in action scenes on the television, I find Darcy McGuire’s writing of these moments very engaging. They were thoroughly entertaining and I often stopped to recount the awesome scenes to my husband. Although the book surprised me with its abrupt ending, I was happy to see the stories continue in her next book.
A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal begins several months after the conclusion of the first book and delves deeper into the criminal ring responsible for the murders. This time, the heroine is Millie Whittenburg, Hannah’s bold friend and spy-in-training. Lady Phillipa’s plan to grant Millie freedom from marriage with an old, decrepit Viscount ends up with her engaged to our hero, Major General Beaufort Drake, the least amiable to marriage and love. As Drake suspects, Millie is investigating the same crime. They have undeniable attraction, but with Millie’s desire for independence and Drake’s fear of opening their heart, they struggle to decide on the path their impending marriage should take.
Millie throws knives. She’s awesome and I wish I could be her. Drake, our scarred hero, there’s nothing better than to see him get his Happily Ever After. That is why I love Historical Romance. I knew it would happen, and it was still heartbreaking. Take care of him Millie! I hope we see more of these two characters in the next release. I wouldn’t mind some bonus epilogues or extra chapters (if you’re reading this Darcy McGuire!)
Available on Febrauary 9th, 2025, The Confessions of a Lady is McGuire’s third installment of this series. According to the summary, Housemaid Penny Smith, a character we met for a bit as Millie’s lady maid, is now working as a spy for the Prime Minister. She investigates our leading gentleman, Lord William Renquist, as a possible criminal, yet he turns out to be a double agent. Although it's another spy versus spy romance, McGuire’s first two books felt like very different stories, so I know she will offer variety and spice.
I will post on my instagram when I begin these books! Let me know if you’re reading with me.
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