Book & Audio Review: Royal Valentine by Jenn McKinlay

Royal Valentine
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Narrator: Sara Young
Series: A Museum of Literature Romance (Book 1)
Publication: JMO Ink (January 4, 2022); Dreamscape Media LLC (February 2, 2022)
Length: 114 p.; 3 hours and 13 minutes

Description: Molly Graham doesn't believe in love at first sight or fairy tales. She's been burned too many times before. But when she stumbles across a very handsome British professor, Albert George, seeking refuge in her office during the Museum of Literature's Valentine's Day gala for the opening of their Austen exhibit, she can't help but be drawn to the fellow introverted academic. Together, they ghost out of the event and embark upon a monthlong love affair. Just as she’s rethinking her stance on happily ever afters, he disappears.

Afraid something bad has happened, she searches for him only to discover there is no Albert George affiliated with the university. She's been played for a fool. But when she travels to England to return the Jane Austen exhibition materials on loan from the Whitmore Estate, Molly is introduced to Earl Whitmore and his grandson Lord Insley - or, as she knows him, Albert George. She is shocked and dismayed to discover she’s fallen in love with a viscount in line to be an earl.

Although he had to leave her unexpectedly, he hasn't been able to forget her, and he wants to win her back. But she refuses to be taken in twice. He’ll have to channel his inner Fitzwilliam Darcy to prove to her that love conquers all.

My Thoughts: This was a fun, contemporary romance novella. Molly Graham works at the Museum of Literature. She and her best friend Bri are constantly bemoaning the lack of suitable men in their lives. Bri challenges Molly to "aim high" in her next romantic venture.

When Molly meets Albert George hiding out at a museum gala, she's smitten. But she thinks he's a a poor, British graduate student. They spend a whirlwind month catching all the sites in New York City before he disappears on her leaving her heartbroken.

They meet again when she is tasked with returning the Jane Austen Exhibit items to Earl Whitmore in England. She discovers that her Albert George is actually Viscount Isley and heir to the earldom. Molly is heartbroken again because her one bottom line on relationships is that there by no lying. Al lied to her about who he was. Molly's own insecurity about the differences in their lives and lifestyles is also a barrier for her.

It takes some straight talking before the two of them can have their "happily ever after."

Favorite Quote:

I didn't laugh, because when Bri makes up her mind about something, she can be as stubborn as a mustard stain.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.