Deceived by Desire by Marie Force | ARC Review

Series: Gilded, #2
Traits & Tropes: damaged, widowed heroine; hero is a wealthy American
Genre/Setting: Historical; Gilded Age; Rhode Island, USA
Publication Date: 08.27.19
Rating: 3/5 stars

When wealthy American Aubrey Nelson arrives at his family's lavish Rhode Island summer home just three weeks before his illustrious guests, and friends, the Duke and Duchess of Westbrook, he's shocked to find the house in complete disarray. When he finds only the rather alluring new housekeeper in residence, he is instantly attracted and vows to spend as much time with her as possible. There's an enormous amount of work to be done and he's happy to spend more time with Maeve Brown, and Aubrey continues to become even more enthralled. When danger from her past catches up to her, Aubrey realizes he has developed deeper feelings than he should and steps up to help her. But with his mother angry and vengeful Maeve's troubles may not end so simply.

This book was well-written and I couldn't put it down, and yet it was rather disappointing for me. There was such good build up and blatant foreshadowing for a dramatic climax that would up falling flat and anticlimactic for me. There was so much build up and potential here and it just didn't deliver. Don't get me wrong, the overall happily ever after itself was satisfying, but the path there was just too tedious and then too abrupt. Some sections felt repetitive to me, and while I adore romance (obviously), and Aubrey was endearingly sweet, his professions of adoration and devotion were a bit much, a bit fast, and a bit frequent to be quite believable. Plus if I had to read any more references to "the Irish housekeeper" I was ready to just scream.

All that said, I still think this series has potential and will keep trying this author as she moves into historical romance.

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

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