Series: The Swooning Virgins Society, #2
Traits & Tropes: titled hero; damaged hero; mystery; hidden identity; widower
Publication Date: 02.02.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; England, 1795
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Rating: 5/5
Posing as a servant puts Cecilia Gilchrist rather out of her comfort zone, but she can’t refuse a request from the mentor who raised her. She must uncover the secrets of Darlington Castle and determine if the marquess is guilty of murdering his late wife. Gideon Rhys, the Marquess of Darlington, clearly has a few secrets, but Cecilia isn’t convinced he’s a true killer beneath his surly façade. She tries to remain objective as evidence seems to point to him, but she finds herself drawn ever closer to him, nevertheless.
Gideon knows he should’ve dismissed Cecilia on her first day. She’s clearly not a proper servant and yet he finds he cannot let her go. In fact, he grows increasingly protective of her, determined to shield her from the darkness that continues to hound him. Little does he know, the closer he becomes to Cecilia, the more danger she is in.
I really enjoyed this gothic-tinged romance. The setting was excellent, and the mystery well done, keeping me turning pages when I should’ve been sleeping, and a few of the scenes had my nape prickling with the tension. The ultimate villain was predictable enough, but not the how of the actions, and I liked the story well enough that I didn’t mind one bit. Gideon was a bit haughty at first but extremely loveable once his character was fleshed out more. He turned out to be incredibly sweet and swoon-worthy, not to mention rather pitiful given how much he’d suffered. I enjoyed Cecilia as a heroine and loved how this sad situation led her to trust in her own instincts and abilities. The development of her relationship with Gideon was believable and I also quite enjoyed the supporting characters. This book kept me engrossed and I didn’t want to put it down. I look forward to the next installment in the series and recommend this book for anyone who likes some mystery and a gothic setting in their romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3343611501
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1392707900
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