This book has:
- Forbidden love
- Class difference
- Black fmc
- Found family
- Diverse characters

I enjoyed this a lot more than the first book in the series. This book follows Verity, who is Duke Evander’s sister, and Theodore, who is an illegitimate heir and rising doctor. Verity leaves her family home and stays with the Du Bells after her brother gets married and finds herself surrounded by the love and warmth that she didn’t get as a child. She meets Theodore at a ball tending to a patient and later seeks his services for her nightmares and terrors.

I really like how realistic the romance between Theodore and Verity is. It grew from awkward interactions to a cute forbidden romance. Seeing the main characters' backstories and how their parents affected who they were was something I appreciated in this book. The beginning of this book was slow, but once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down. The banter between characters, family scenes, and lovable characters really made this book a great read. I really love the Du Bell family and enjoyed seeing Aphrodite and Evander interact in this book. The chapters leading up to the end had a nice action that I enjoyed.

Overall a good regency romance. If you liked the first book, you’d like this one even more, and if you like the Bridgerton tv series type book, you should read this!
4.5/5⭐️

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and Netgalley, for this arc for an honest review.

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor was so amazing! I enjoyed Aphrodite and the Duke so to go back on this regency romance world is great. Verity Had so much spirit that set her apart from her family. Dr Darlington’s charms she cannot resist, although society is against their union. The journey of falling in love gives me joy and it was a pleasure to read this arc and discover new favorite love stories!
#verityandtheforbiddensuitor #NetGalley
🌟🌟🌟🌟

I received this book as an ARC for a honest review.This is the second book to this series and I enjoyed it as much as the first book. I love the main characters and would recommend.

* Received a copy for review.*
This book took a very long time to get started. About the first 25% felt like a rehash of book 1.
I liked Theodore but overall the story was just flat. Verity’s past wasn’t being rehashed without much resolution. the relationship seemed secondary.
There is an audience that will really like this book but I am not it.

This is my first book by J.J. McAvoy and I'm excited to back and read the first! A wonderful diverse historical romance with great characters. Loved the romance between the main characters and there was a great amount of humor as well. Really enjoyed this read! Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Book 2 in this charming and spicy series set in Regency England, Lady Verity’s brother is a Duke so she could never marry Dr. Theo Darrington the illegitimate son of an Earl but love doesn’t know class or in this case race. Like the Bridgerton series, Black, White and mixed race people exist without discrimination in the nobility. Race isn’t part of the story, characters are what they are. Class, however is a different story and strict societal rules govern the lives of these characters. There’s adventure. love, intrigue and intimacy..

Looking for a regency romance that feels like Brigerton but you have no interest in Julia Quinn or her cash grab?

Might I suggest @jjmcavoy's
Du Bells series? I've read both
#aphroditeandtheduke and
#verityandtheforbiddensuitor and I love
them both. Where other authors can't
picture black people in their stories with
happy endings the Du Bells removes
the "reality" of the time and gives you
pure romance. The characters are so
well done I find myself looking forward to each sibling getting their book as I would a Beverly Jenkins, Francis Ray, or Brenda Jackson series.

While there isn't much spice, what we
do get would make all the ladies of the
ton fan themselves in private and then
whisper to their friends.
So do yourself a favor and read both.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. Verity
releases on April 11th.

Thank you so much for giving me access to an arc, Netgalley! I really appreciate it. I was excited to gain access to this book because I really did like the first one in this series a lot. However, I found that this book fell short for me. The magic that I experienced from the first one in this series didn't come through with this one, at least for me. I think McAvoy is a very good writer. I thoroughly enjoy the things that she has put out in the past but I do not believe I will be continuing this series. Also...I wished there was more heat to this.

I think I liked "Aphrodite and the Duke" a little better than this one, but it was still a beautiful romance, and I hope there will be many more books in this series!

This is my first book by J.J. McAvoy, and I while this book was written well, I think that not reading her first book was to my disadvantage. Taking place soon after, "Aphrodite and the Duke," "Verity,' the sister of the Duke, goes to live with Aphrodite's family to explore the season and catch a husband. I won't give much away, and some of my concerns may have very well been introduced and addressed on the first book, so I won't go into great detail here. What I will say is that this book series borrows heavily from what one may know from watching "Bridgerton" or reading other Regency novels. McAvoy writes a note in the beginning of the book that states that "Black people are here," but they could have easily been anyone from any culture: there was nothing distinguishing about their characters that announced their heritage. Further, this is a romance with a sex scene in it. Within the confines of this book, that scene could have easily been left out, which pains me to say because I don't usually prefer closed door romance. That said, the struggle here for me is that I could not easily discern if this was to be a YA or a NA novel. There seemed to be an air of immaturity surrounding the Verity and Hathor and it radiated out toward the "adults" in the social set, but sex was had and marriage was on the horizon. There also seemed to be inconsistencies within Verity that I chalked up to not having the knowledge of the previous book and her immaturity.

All told, I would suggest one approach this series in order. If my suspicions are correct, the next couple in the series started their courtship in this book and I am intrigued enough to see how it all began and what is next.

Verity And The Forbidden Suitor is a fantastic historical romance by J.J. McAvoy. Ms. McAvoy has produced a well-written book populated with a fun and diverse group of characters. Lady Verity is left in the care of the Du Bell family while her brother and new wife are on their honeymoon and getting settled into their home. Verity doesn't know what to make of the boisterous family and struggles to hide her secret. Dr. Theodore Darrington was terse at their first meeting. Now she seems to be bumping into him everywhere. Verity and Theodore's story is packed with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: April 11, 2023
Series: The Dubells Book 2
Pages: 400

I got a taste of JJ McAvoy’s writing with “Aphrodite and the Duke and was thoroughly impressed. “Verity and the Forbidden Suitor” is no different and is also a wonderful read. This is Verity Eagleman’s story who longs for a family life like the siblings in the DuBell home. She is the sister of the Duke of Everely and has an attraction to the handsome Dr. Darrington, who is off limits to all the ladies due to his being an illegitimate of the Marquess of Whitmear.

The handsome doctor saved her brother’s life and their chance-by-chance meetings, melts away my heart as I root for the two to close in on their attraction. Page by page it kept me drawn to the hero/heroine as they are loveable characters with all the banter. I loved how their slow build sly attraction became a relationship with all the hidden getaways that they shared. You can’t help but like the DuBell’s and all of their pomp and circumstance, but mostly the main characters who have underlying issues that set them apart as loners but finding solace in one another.

This is such a good read, and I could not put it down until the end. This became a one-dayer for me that’s how much I enjoyed it. Looking forward to more of the DuBells from this author. Recommend the read totally.

This is my first time reading this author and I'm thoroughly impressed. This book reminded me of why I love historical romance. I loved the representation, the pining, the DRAMA, and the undying love.
This book was a major event. I loved how J.J. McAvoy developed the relationship between Verity and Theodore. It wasn't an instant love affair and let's act on this attraction. It developed over time throughout the book.
Verity wasn't looking for love at all. She wanted to fade into the background and go about her life. Theodore was happy being a doctor because he was an illegitimate heir. He didn't hope for much more in life. Theodore very much wanted to fade in the background too. He met Verity while tending to her brother's injuries and was taken by her. He didn't act on his feelings because he had nothing to give her. No title, riches, or property. Or so he thought. Verity wasn't looking for any of that. They were both dealing with demons from their past. I loved the way there were no easy fixes. There were still some loose ends once the HEA occurred.
This was a five-star read for me.
Trigger Warning: young child locked in a cabinet, verbal abuse, gun violence, murder, emotional & mental abuse, & mental breakdown

I really enjoyed this book! I love the world expansion and getting to know new characters and their life stories.

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor
By JJ McAvoy
A Review by Jamilla @ LandsAwayBooks (on wordpress)

Aphrodite and the Duke was, in the first part at least, such a delicious second chance romance angsty escape, and I throughly enjoyed the chaotic, loving, numerous Du Bell family! So I was really pleased when I very casually came across this gorgeous cover on twitter, and realized that we were going to get another story from this world!

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor is 80% fluff, 20% pinning and 100% fun.

It follows the story of Lady Verity Eagleman, sister to the current Duke of Everely, Evander Eagleman, and how she came to be in the clutches of the most unexpected of suitors, the very awkward, and a bit gruff, Dr. Darrington. Who’s made wholly unsuitable for any titled lady, no matter his proficiency in his profession, by the mere fact of his birth, as a well known ‘cast off’ of the Marquess of Whitmear.

Think sweet, think first blush of love. The relationship between our two leads had me melting and giggling. I enjoyed their banter and bickering and all their little moments hidden away together. It was at a nice spot between slow burn and lust at first sight and really gave me a feel of nostalgia for the classics of this genre.

As I have begun to expect from a McAvoy historical, we have a story that’s a bit more than just one of the road to love, we have a story featuring childhood trauma, suicide and lost love. I do think that this is the area of the story that felt the weakest to me, I can see that the author wants to tell a more substantive story, but it’s not quite there yet, which is a shame.

All in all, a lovely way to spend the afternoon and I’m very much excited for the next pair in what I hope will be a long series!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second JJ McAvory book (after Afphrodite and The Duke) and I swear, I need to dig into her backlog because she officialy has a chokehold on me with the historicals. This was a delight. I def can see this coming to screen some day.

Let me start this off by saying how refreshing it is to see diversity in one of my favorite genres! I truly commend the author for creating such a series, and I can only hope authors are to follow. McAvoy's writing style works wondrously.

After reading the first novel in this series, I was eagerly awaiting the release of the next. Admittedly, I did think the next book would feature a completely different character, but I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued to discover that Verity would have her own story. The blurb immediately caught my attention because there is nothing I love more than someone fighting for love despite society's attempts to box them in their own cages.

In reading about Theodore, it was hard not to like the man. I could not help but share in Verity's ire when others in the book would disparage him or put him down simply because of his background--something so wholly unfair. Realistically, it is known that the ton would shun those in situations like he was born into, however, it did not mean I agreed with how several of the characters sought to bring him down for it. On the other hand, the secondary characters that championed him made me so very happy, particularly Henry. I would be remiss if I did not say how desperately I wish to read his story, although I so too want Hathor's.

The only thing I would say against this book centers on how the perception of Evander and Aphrodite's mother changed from what I first observed in the previous book. Now, I was not wholly a fan of Lady Monthemer, but I understood her push for her daughters to make good matches. What I did not like was how forceful she was in that. Additionally, I found Evander to be entirely hypocritical. I struggled to reconcile these perceptions with the original ones I made beforehand. Both characters were unkind in how they perceived Theodore's and Verity's match, and I am cannot but help to feel offended on Theodore's behalf! That is the mark of good story telling though.

To conclude, this was such a good read. I could not put this one done once I started. I started it at 10am and finished it at 10pm the same day. Also, I would love if we, the readers, would be able to get a story/novella, of how Damon and Silva came to be married. I feel like that is a love story also worth reading.

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor is aristocracy at its finest promoting romance and marriage through the coming out seasons in London among the title holders and woe to those who do not fit the mold. Struggling with Verity and Dr. Darrington as their relationship progresses is quite entertaining After reading Aphrodite and the Duke, this book is a wonderful sequel. Thanks for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor is the sequel to Aphrodite and the Duke and while I enjoyed Aphrodite and the Duke I enjoyed Verity even more! The romance between Verity and her suitor, Theodore, is complicated by the fact that she is a dukes daughter and expected to marry nobility while Theodore is a respected physician, but the illegitimate son of a nobleman. Not only did I enjoy their romance, but I enjoyed each of the characters themselves. Their romance was very sweet and even though this book didn't have the spicy factor that I normally read in romances the likability of the characters and their story made up for any lack of that type of content.
My biggest concern with this book was that it is a dual POV book but at the end Aphrodite and her Duke were introduced as narrators for several chapters which I feel detracted from our two main characters.
I would recommend this book at any historical romance reader especially if they are fans of very sweet love stories and romances without much spicy content. I will definitely be on the lookout for more works by this author.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

ARC received by NetGalley. Thank you!

Spice Level: very low

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor follows the story of Verity, a young girl of the "ton" and Theodore, a bastard son of a nobleman turned doctor. Due to Theodore's status the love between the two are forbidden...thus living up to the name of "Verity and the Forbidden Suitor." Verity is also dealing with some personal struggles of her own (trigger warning: PTSD, parental abuse/neglect). Can these two find a way to each other and the love they share?

The book is a continuation of a series making the first 30% of the book extremely slow going. There is a lot of background story and catching up that is attempted. Honestly, I found it to be a bit of a slog and put down the book multiple times. There was just enough to keep me intrigued, and I am not a quitter if I can help it, so I kept coming back to Verity. In the end, unfortunately, the book fell short for me. It didn't have the originality, pull at the heart strings storyline and well developed characters and plot that are needed to make a great read that keeps you up all night turning pages. Perhaps if I would have started with the first book my experience would have been different.

I did appreciate the diversity that was represented! It is too infrequent in regency romance that a diverse character group is presented in my opinion. The plot created a cozy storyline that was easy to follow. The spice level was almost zero making it an appropriate read for any lover of romance and happy endings.