One Winter's Night by Adele Clee | ARC Review

Series: Standalone
Tropes & Traits: titled hero; instalove; suspense
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Wiltshire, England
Publication Date: 11.02.19
Heat Level: 4/5
Rating: 5 stars!

To appease his mother, Hugo de Wold, the Earl of Denham, conceded to her demands, agreeing to choose a woman to marry by his thirtieth birthday. His birthday happens to coincide with Christmas Day, leaving his mother with the perfect opportunity to invite eligible ladies to celebrate the season. Now Hugo has just two days to uphold the agreement and a snowstorm has rendered travel impossible, leaving Hugo stranded in the ladies' insufferable company. But other travelers also find themselves stranded and a late, unexpected guest turns Hugo's household upside down in a not-altogether-unwelcome manner.

Miss Lara Bennett feels awful about the slight deception she's perpetrating, but she didn't have the heart to refuse her grandfather's plea to help him reunite with a lost love. Her carriage is stranded in the snow and she's taking refuge at Wollaston Hall for her grandfather to come to her gallant rescue and also be reunited with his lady love at the same time. But Lara never expected to become entangled in a murder investigation or to feel such a strong connection to the handsome but wary earl.

I loved this book. It pulled me in and I couldn't put it down. The instant chemistry between Hugo and Lara was great and so was the mystery element. With multiple potential villains lurking about, it was nice to see Hugo and Lara stick together and be logical about everything, thus avoiding some plot devices which I find to be annoying. This was a great festive read and also wound up being very appropriate for my Halloween reading. I'm very much looking forward to the next book from Ms. Clee.

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

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