Series: Ladies of the Order, #4
Traits & Tropes: suspense/danger; class difference; heroine in hiding; scarred hero; hero suspected of murder; forced proximity; titled hero
Publication Date: 03.21.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; London/Kent, England
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 5 stars!
After running away from her controlling father, Miss Honora Wild is skeptical of her new client. He’s suspected of murder and his scarred countenance is disconcerting enough before one even gets to experience his equally black moods. But her employer believes in the man’s innocence, and she owes him everything, which means Honora must accept the appointment and venture to the lord’s clifftop estate to investigate.
Lord Sylvester Deville would’ve been justified if he did push his ingrate, spendthrift brother off the cliff, and he almost wishes he had since he is being castigated anyway. All of society view his facial scar as proof of his guilt and Sylvester just wants to clear his name and live in peace. He’s not comfortable with a female agent since none of the women in his life have been trustworthy up to this point and he suspects Miss Wild has secrets of her own. Both must learn to see beyond the other’s exterior and put their trust in one another if they hope to survive.
For me, Adele Clee is the undisputed master of metaphor, especially when it comes to setting a gothic scene. I savored this book, specifically watching Sylvester’s heart thaw and come back to life the more time he spent with Honora. I loved that these two were open and honest with one another about their feelings from the start so we as readers get basically a play by play of the growth of those feelings and the development of their relationship beyond that of agent and client. The mystery and suspense aspect here is strong but in balance and I never felt like it overshadowed the romance. If anything, the danger encouraged even more honesty and trust between Sylvester and Honora as they worked to figure out just what was going on at his estate and realized they could rely on only each other. Sylvester and Honora came to one another’s defense in different ways, and I loved that they were truly a team in that respect. Both had been let down by the people in their lives that they should have been able to trust and love so I think that made it even more fulfilling to see their relationship grow as they found unconditional acceptance and trust with each other. Additionally, it was great that Sylvester immediately cleared up any doubts Honora tried to develop about their future together before she could really even have them so we never had to deal with any of the ‘will he, won’t he’ angst that I’ve come to dislike so much. I also thought it was cute that Lucius Daventry finally owned up to his inability to resist matchmaking. This is definitely one of my favorite series and another favorite book for me. I’m excited for Miss Trimble’s story and very glad the series isn’t ending yet.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1428430090
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4598103966
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