Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 320 pages
Author: Hannah Linder
Publisher: Barbour Pub
Release Date: September 30th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Danger Lurks at Rosenleigh Manor

Enjoy another Gothic Style Regency from Hannah Linder.

The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh, he pleads for truth from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered.

As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution—leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant love of Isabella Gresham, but even that has been threatened. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, will William be the only one willing to rescue her? And even if he saves Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart?

Thank you to AustenProse, Barbour Books and Netgalley for the eARC.

GENUINE ENJOYMENT.

This one took me by surprise. And as it’s Hannah Linder’s third novel I can see how much her writing and story telling has grown. Not for one minute was I ready to speed read and move on. I loved this story and the truths it held throughout.

The romance had this forbidden layer to start out that was worked out really well. I loved the slow progression between William and Isabella and how fate pulled them together. William was an incredible MMC and his ability to constantly have to turn and make a new move was inspiring. I felt a lot of his anger and disappointment towards his fortune and I loved the honest way the subtle faith elements played into his character.

This is definitely a darker book and I was surprised at the layers of mystery that unfolded as truths were revealed. There were continual things to unpack and the pace of the plot remained steady as I was grasping to know what happened next. I enjoyed the drama. I loved this story and I look forward to Linder’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

• Historical Suspense + Romance
• Language: none
• Romance: kisses
• Violence: high
• Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, gun violence, physical & weapons violence, loss of life, loss of loved ones, kidnapping, torture, harassment, blood/gore depiction

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