Selina: An Age-Gap, Opposites Attract Story (The Bellamy Sisters Book 3)

I’m a Historical Romance junkie. This is my 5th book by this writer. The first four books were losers. I couldn’t post a positive review for one. This has not been a good year for me in my book selections. I seldom purchase another book from an author after four disappointments. I love a damaged hero. I decided to take a chance based on the description. I loved this book. 6 stars. Loved the story and the characters. It was so enjoyable it was worth struggling thru the previous-in my opinion-mediocre books. Highly recommend to all lovers of the damaged hero trope.

There are many things I look for in a good historical romance: complex characters, steamy love scenes, intriguing plot, good humor, etc. SELINA has all of these, but he thing that's most enjoyable about it is how remarkably unremarkable the romance is, compared to most historical romances. These novels tend to follow a pattern & unfold as such: 1) outrageously ridiculous event or circumstance brings lovers together, 2) romance gradually unfolds, 3) outrageously ridiculous miscommunication occurs driving the lovers apart, followed by 4) a swift reconciliation & HEA. While SELINA certainly follows this pattern, it stands a part by being slightly less outrageously ridiculous than the others (NOTE: outrageously ridiculous isn't a bad thing; it is what it is).Selina (our FMC) is interesting because she's relatively normal. Sure, the circumstances that bring her to work as the housekeeper for a handsome, surly Marquess (I mean really, must every male love interest be tall, dark & broody) are rather outlandish, but the trials and conflicts of the two characters are quite ordinary. Without huge literary devices forcing our MCs into ludicrous behaviors, the subtleties of human nature and our struggles become far more apparent & way more interesting. Selina struggles with feelings of inadequacy engrained in her by her shrewish mother. Caius (our MMC) struggles with PTSD & acclimating to his recent disability. Getting to explore these intimacies & how the two different characters rub along is rather a different change of pace than being abducted by a Scottish laird or "ruination" in the eyes of the 'ton'.Another refreshing aspect of SELINA is how reasonable the characters are. One thing I hate above all else is the miscommunication conflict that drives the lovers apart. Sometimes it's small & more tolerable, at other times it's so ridiculous that I can't help but roll my eyes. So many romances would could bypass the hysterics & eventual flight of a character (so that they may be passionately reunited at a later date) with a simple question. In this case, the miscommunication is less ridiculous because the reader has more insight into the minds of our characters. The things that drive them apart are their own fears & insecurities. And when it comes to resolving the conflict, the "Grand Gesture" was relatively tame. Idk the last time I read a novel where the main character readily admits he's wrong & that he's an idiot, the FMC agrees, then they go about the rest of their lives HEA. The world needs more sensible & practical romance.So while this novel has all the trappings of a good historical romance (i.e. love, the corrupting of virginal misses with dirty talk, & a healthy dose of voyeurism), the thing I most enjoyed was how ordinary everyone was. A good book doesn't need an evil villain or an outrageously ridiculous situation that draws attention away from the emotional interests of the characters. Relatability & emotional complexity makes for a great read as well.

Every time I read a new Bellamy Sisters book I’m blown away, just when I thought I couldn’t love a book more than I loved Hyacinth’s (and before that, Phoebe’s) Selina swept me off my feet. I read this book in two days, it was all I could think about. I’ve recommended this book to my friends more than any one I have read. The characters are so well thought out and deep, with their own quirks and personalities that just make you fall in love with them and the spice is so poetic and beautiful you almost don’t even feel embarrassed reading it in public. I absolutely cannot wait for Aurelia’s book, I’ve been looking forward to it since I heard about her job in “Phoebe”. Thank you Minerva Spencer for writing these absolute masterpieces, you are a literary genius and these books are so close to my heart.

The heroine and hero are mightily matched in passion, interests and character. I strongly recommend this novel as it features a blind hero in the 18th century and the heroine who enhances his life. Sincerely, Doc Carole

I enjoyed this story as much as the previous two, but was hoping for more from the epilogue. It is fiery passion, witty banter, and serious emotions all rolled up. I wish book four was already out.

Characters where good but like I said there was too much time spent with erotica and more could have been spent on plor

This was lovely! Selina is on a bit of an adventure for the first half of the book and the romance kicks into gear around 52% because we have to dig through some truly GRUMPY layers before Caius (pronounced "keys") becomes loveable. The spice in this book isn't the main course, but it is very hot and explicit when it's on screen.SM LaViolette/Minerva Spencer is a favorite author of mine. I truly enjoy her stories. While this book was a bit longer than her others, and a slow burn, I finished it in 2 days and enjoyed every page. The pacing was excellent.I thought there were a few missed opportunities. Selina is apparently beyond gorgeous, but the only person who tells Caius is his brother. It makes more sense that he would hear about it from more people (it would have been remarked upon even obliquely, I'm certain of it). Also, Selina's dark chapter before reconciling with Caius was too short, IMHO. I was hoping to stretch it out longer, and then have Caius grovel a biiiit more.And finally, for people who get squicked by large age gaps, I believe this was 20/21 (Selina) and 37 (Caius) -- not bad, in line with the time period.

I thoroughly enjoy Minerva's writing. This book is another awesome read that I did not want to put down. I love a book that makes you laugh out loud and can make you get angry or make you cry. The characters are interesting and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.It took me awhile to get into this story because I was certain Lord Fowley was gonna be the one until i started this book and realized that i was deadly wrong. After i got into the story i didn't mind one bit how wrong i was. When Caius threw a book at Selina i was sold on them! ☺I didn't love how much Selina lied however i understood her necessity to do so.I loved everything involving Caius. I loved getting to know this grumpy man that was going mad and getting to see him become more "docile" and gain a reason to live. He went through a traumatic event that left him with very unpleasant memories, feelings and as a result of it, blind too.I loved that Selina wanted to be more than a pretty face and she decided to seek her purpose in life. She decided that being a housekeeper would do for the time being except she was expecting The Marquess to be exactly what she needed.I loved how selina came in Caius shamber guns blazing - so to speak- and berated him and sparked something in him which was something that Caius was sorely lacking. He had lost his will to live but Selina gave him reasons why he couldn't give up.I loved how their relationship evolved. They became friends while Selina was helping him with ways for Caius to navigate his new life and then when Viktor, Caius brother, discovered who Selina really was they become lovers.Caius was adorable and a grump but Selina just by being herself brought him back to life. They had some sweet moments that were also beautiful.The third act was a bit of a let down for me. I expected Selina to fight for Caius because she knew what Caius thought of himself and the fact that he viewed himself as a burden to others. Thankfully they weren't apart very long but I expected Selina to fight for her man and to put him, yet again, in his place.Ultimately I loved these two together and I can't wait for Aurelia!

I was blown away by this slow burn romance ! When I first read about Selina, I really thought of her as a bit of fluff ! Her story is truly endearing and her intelligence made me fall in love with her.Ms. Spencer made me tear up at so many parts of this book !!!! It's so good that it hurts !Truly a splendid tale !Steam Level : open love making scenes, oral foreplay and some level of cuss words.Triggers : death, and mention of loss of a baby

The third book in Minerva Spencer’s Bellamy Sisters series is an extremely engaging, well written story about Selina and Caius - a sensual and tender tale with many laugh out loud, and some heart breaking, moments. Caius has been suffering through a terrible year and is desolate, sorrowful and has all but given up when Selina enters his life like a breath of fresh air, she settles in as his house keeper and is well liked by everyone being gentle and kind - she also has a backbone of steel and the ability to get things done. Their relationship develops over time, they are both endearing and so good for each other, I was thoroughly drawn in to their story. I had been looking forward to this book release for some time and Minerva Spencer, in her own inimitable way, has again written a spectacular book!

This book is LOVELY. I laughed, I cried, I swooned.Selina is a diamond of the first water, who has been told all her life that she's only fit to be a beautiful wife to (preferably) an obscenely rich man. So what happens when events conspire to ruin her?Why, she lies to get a job working for a newly-blind Marquess, who is wallowing in despair and behaving very badly indeed.This is a very slow-burn romance, but once it gets going, whew! (Caius is a naughty one) I also loved Selina's journey of self-discovery, and how she matured as a character.It's nice to read a book where the MCs are so well-written and observed. I read for three hours straight because I literally couldn't put it down, it grabbed me that much.5*

What a cracking series The Bellamy sisters is. My only regret is that there are not more sisters to keep this series going. The third installment sees Selina Bellamy on the run from a situation damaging her reputation only to find herself in extraordinary circumstances. Needless to say, she Rises to the occasion. I won't spoil it for you but the story is well plotted with a tortured but redeemable Hero and a heroine whose managing skills come to the fore and for once is not judged by her looks.