The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski

 

The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski - 4 Stars 

This was giving all things Mr. and Mrs. Smith for me! Jewel thieves, high stakes, banter!! Really enjoyed it. This was a really unique storyline.

It's important to note, this is a secular historical romance. Some have stated in their reviews they thought this was Christian Fiction. Thomas Nelson doesn't just publish Christian Fiction, they publish secular clean fiction as well, so that is what I consider this book after reading it.

We start the book off with Jasper and Esme celebrating the end of WWI. They got married after knowing each other for 1 day in the celebration and too much champagne. She wakes up the next day and realizes her mistake and leaves her new husband behind....cut to 4 years later when they meet back up and they are now both jewel thieves after the same tiara and we see a wild race to get this well sought after item. 

I laughed so many times in this book, we saw some great banter and the situations they got themselves into reminded me of the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith because they were always trying to outdo each other and you find yourself laughing at their tries to top the next thing with each other.

They have such a great chemistry together. They were kind of enemies to lovers, very unlikely couple that grew to care for one another in the crazy situations they got themselves into. We have so much glamour too from the 1920s shown here, it really felt like a fun time as you followed their hunt for this famous tiara. I have seen some reviews talk about the content here and while I would have liked Esme to not leave him all the time (LOL), for a secular book, it wasn't anything crazy in regards to content. Many times it was very situational.

Some parts did drag a smidge, but overall I really enjoyed this one. 

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the audiobook to honestly listen to and review. The narration was really good too! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content: Closed door/fade to black sexual scenes, drinking in celebration (situationally and time period appropriate), small bits of language.

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/560303
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46KECWx

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski

 

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski - 4 Stars

The Ice Swan is a captivating historical romance that takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the glittering society of Paris in 1917. This book weaves a tale of love and resilience, creating a story that is both heart wrenching and heart warming. 

We follow the story of Princess Svetlana Dalsky, who flees Russia with her family in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution. As they seek refuge in Paris, Svetlana's once-grand life is reduced to one of struggle and uncertainty. Amidst the chaos, she meets Dr. Wynn MacCallan, a Scottish surgeon with his own past and secrets. Their romance blossoms slowly, marked by mutual respect, understanding and a shared sense of duty.

This story really took off for me around chapter 13. I loved the romance between Wynn and Svetlana so much and seeing them make the journey to Scotland in this story was my favorite part. While I was more invested in the romance than the historical aspects, this story vividly brings to life what was going on in the Russian court, the desperation of the revolution and the vibrant streets of Paris. 

The family dynamic in this was great. We see such an interesting contrast in Mother's between Wynn and Svetlana's. Hers is very overbearing and narcissistic, while the his is an absolutely joy and encouraging. 

Overall, this story has well developed characters, plot and romance that will keep readers engaged. I loved her writing style and will be reading more by J'Nell for sure! If you like stories that include royalty, romance and history - pick this up!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6593266426
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/265323
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fjELEa

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.