Gabriela and His Grace

Leaving Victorian England for Mexico, the swoonworthy conclusion to De La Rosa's Luna Sisters series (after Isabel and the Rogue) turns the spotlight onto youngest sister Gabriela "Gabby" Luna. With the French having withdrawn from the invasion that forced the Lunas to flee their homeland in book one, Gabby heads home to visit her parents and recuperate from narrowly escaping a forced marriage to a noble. Her escort is Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, whom Gabby warms to on their shipboard journey despite her prior dislike of him. In Mexico, however, she's met with more matrimonial plotting, this time coming from her father who has picked out a suitable match for her. Gabby resists--and her affinity for Sebastian increases when he agrees to escort her back to London to spare her from the unwanted marriage. With their voyage taking place on such short notice, the two are forced to share a cabin, which leads to a scintillating shipboard affair. That should be the end of things, but upon returning to London, rumors of Gabby being compromised spread, throwing the couple into a scandal. De La Rosa's characters are as progressive for their time as ever--it's especially gratifying to see how highly Sebastian values Gabby's intellect--and their chemistry is red hot. Series fans will not be disappointed. (Aug.)

The final Luna sister searches for happiness. Four years ago, Gabriela Luna and her sisters fled their home in Mexico City to escape the encroaching French army, then sailed to London to try to win supporters for the Mexican cause. Now, the rebellious and impulsive Gabby is the only one of the three who isn't married, and after she's nearly trapped into matrimony by a penniless earl seeking her healthy dowry, she decides it's time to go home and prove her worth to her father. Onboard the ship, she's dismayed to learn that one of her traveling companions is Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, who's heading abroad to check on an investment (and keep an eye on Gabby). Gabby has never been able to see him as more than a rake, after walking in on him and a partner in a very intimate moment, and the two have been arguing ever since. The long journey, however, gives them a chance to see each other in a new light. Once back in Mexico, Gabby is upset when she realizes that her father still doesn't respect her work, but also pleasantly surprised that Sebastian steps up to defend her. Gabby quickly realizes that even on the other side of the Atlantic she's still being assessed primarily for her value as a wife, and when she decides to escape back to England, Sebastian is the one who accompanies her. And since there's only one cabin left, which they need to share, it isn't long before the connection that's been developing between them becomes intense and physical--but after they're caught stealing one last kiss on the London docks, it looks as though Gabby's journey may end up with a marriage after all. De la Rosa's highly anticipated final Luna Sisters novel is a delight; the slow burn between Gabby and Sebastian is expertly executed, as is their enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Fans will be happy to see Gabby finally get her turn in the spotlight, as well as to get another glimpse at the lives that her sisters, Isabel and Ana María, have been leading since their HEAs. Through it all, De la Rosa delivers a complex, compelling story that celebrates the embrace of family alongside the thrill of true love. A moving conclusion to an excellent historical romance series. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.