***This review originally appeared with RT BOOK REVIEWS***

Fans of the series will enjoy glimpses of characters from the first book, but the story stands alone well. Phoebe’s position as recently elevated out of penury by her sister’s marriage provides a fresh take in a genre where heroines seem to either be bored with their affluence or in desperate straits. Her appreciation of luxuries great and small is a nice character element. Meanwhile, notorious rake Max is not what he seems, and develops in surprising ways. While the characters have some interesting things going for them, unfortunately the whole story is a giant plot hole: as the titled lord of the family, Max has no need of his mother’s permission to take over guardianship of his nephew, which is the premise by which he embroils himself with Phoebe. Beyond that, there isn’t much plot beyond the characters getting to know each other and reveal their secrets, which causes the pacing to suffer.

SUMMARY: A marriage-of-convenience trope with a few twists: blackmail, family skeletons, and hidden depths of emotion. Max blackmails Phoebe into a sham engagement to convince his ailing mother that he is respectable enough to care for his young orphaned nephew. While he succeeds in this opening gambit, falling in love with her throws his entire life plan off track.

I really enjoyed Max and Phoebe's story!

Phoebe won't go play along with Max's faux engagement, so he ends up blackmailing her to comply. What he didn't count on was Phoebe turning the tables on him. I loved the interactions between these two and all the bantering!!

I excited to read the third book in the Landon Sisters series!!

George/Max’s is the Earl of Maxfield and his mom is raising his sister’s son Thomas who is a rambunctious five year old. Max’s sister had been dead more than a year now and the death had affected his mom badly. Not only her health but her ability to watch an active five year old. So Max wants to take Thomas and raise him. But his mother fears Max’s reputation and being wild does not show he’s a good guardian. So Max comes up with a plan to have a fake fiance to show his mother he has changed and is responsible. Max felt Phoebe would be the perfect choice. Max knows something about Phoebe's sister Isobel and will use it to blackmail Phoebe if he has to. Phoebe doesn’t ever want to marry. Phoebe is shocked when Max asks her to go along with a fake engagement. Phoebe refuses until Max uses blackmail then she has some rules of her own. So Max and Phoebe goes on with the fake engagement. Phoebe ends up blackmailing Max back. Max never wanted to marry because his father was mad and how he treated his mom and family. Max was afraid he would end up like his dad Phoebe is wary of gossip and scandal especially since her father’s gambling habit had left his family broke and their place in society taken away.
I had mixed feelings on this story. I did enjoy a lot of it. I did like the plot. I also liked the interaction between Max and Phoebe.. I liked them together for the most part. But I didn’t see a lot of chemistry between Phoebe and Max. Alos why is Max so worried he will go mad and he won’t take the chance of treating a wife and his child like his dad had yet he would have Thomas and could be bad for Thomas who would be raised as Max’s for all intents and purposes. I thought Phoebe was too pushy about marriage and what happened to never getting married. I liked this but it just wasn’t a favorite of mine. As I said I had mixed feelings on this book.

Publisher's Description:

After a lifetime of rakish behavior, Lord Maxfeld must pretend he's reformed and find a fake wife. And there is nobody more suitable than Lady Phoebe. Trouble is, Phoebe will not agree to a false engagement and leaves Max no option but to blackmail her into agreeing to his scheme.

Phoebe will go to great lengths to avoid anything remotely dishonorable and blackmails Max right back—directly to the altar. Once married, though, Phoebe wants more than just Max's ring -- she wants his heart, something he can never give....

My Thoughts:

This delightfully convoluted story that begins with a blackmail and a pretend engagement was one that drew this reader in from the start. I really enjoyed the read and highly recommend it to historical romance fans. There is just enough mystery and intrigue to make the story more interesting.

I admit I was skeptical having never read this author's work before but was pleasantly surprised by the wonderfully developed characters and storyline with exceptional details that draw a vivid picture of the times and great possibility of scandal.
I found that this was only the author's second book and wished I had been aware of her debut novel before reading this one. Although they certainly can be read as standalones they are tied together by family and would probably be better if read in order.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. The sensual level is strong with 4 of 5 flames for heat.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Really enjoyed this,was not expecting Max's secret but thought it was a great twist.Lovely story.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley

Not my cup of tea. Thanks to the Publisher for the review copy though!

Max needs a wife to get what he wants. Lady Phoebe wants something also. They both go about getting what they want and giving more than they intended by blackmailing the other. I was a bit apprehensive to start. Blackmailing each other was not knew it was just he reasons for doing so. Max was suppose to show that he has matured and become responsible. Blackmail was not the way to go but he did get the Lady and the child. I enjoyed the banter and the tit-for-tat. An enjoyable historical read that give a bit more than the everyday. This Landon sister knew her worth and didn’t settle for less.

To gain custody of his nephew, Lord Maxfeld must find a wife (or pretend to). With ammunitIon to blackmail, Max coerces Lady Phoebe Land on. She just might have a few tricks up her sleeve as well.

The premise seemed promising until it not only involved blackmail but every other romance trope known to man. If any of the added plot devices was fully wrapped up during the story I might have had an easier time with this book. I kept thinking this has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. With some Spring cleaning this could be good.

4.5 Stars

A tasty, sensual treat with well-developed characters and flow as smooth as the hero himself!
Max is in a bit of a pickle, and his has been femininely neglected. He needs to convince his mother that he’s responsible enough to take custody of his five-year-old nephew (who’s now an orphan), but his two heads are warring with each other. He knows which one needs to win, but the underdog is pushing toward victory. In other words…
Due to the reasons behind his father’s demise, Max has vowed to never bed a woman, let alone take a wife. He doesn’t want to put a woman (or child) through what his father put his family through; so although he’s enjoyed the pleaure of a woman he’s never gone all the way. He can’t take the chance of impregnating anyone. However, this doesn’t prevent him from wanting, and when it comes to Phoebe, whom he’s admired from a distance, needing. Having his nephew not only allows him to give the child the life his sister would’ve wanted for him, but it also give him a chance to be a father. Something he doesn’t see for himself because of his fear. Also, his mother is grieving herself sick over his sister’s death. She needs time to heal, and the child needs space to grow and just be a kid.
Phoebe is well aware of Max’s reputation as a rake, but the full truth gradually comes to light as she spends more time with him pretending to be his fiance. In order to keep her secret just that – a secret, she has to go along with his dastardly plan. She expected to be betrothed for six weeks. What she hadn’t expected was to fall for her husband, nor for him to fall for her. They go together like hot buns and raspberry jam, and once they get a taste, they’re both hooked. What would happen if they went all in, or shall I say, Max went all in :)?
Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out.
The witty repartee is just part of what makes this story so yummy. Hahn’s vivid description engages all five senses, and readers will anticipate the lovers’ first deep physical connection on a whole new level. I did wish I could’ve known more about their past intereactions together. It’s clear that they’ve met a couple of times before. I’m sure this is probably in the first book, To Win a Lady’s Heart, but unfortunately I have not yet read that one. Emphasis on the yet :).
Nonetheless, I connected to them. Phoebe is patient, but forceful at the same time. She doesn’t want to give up on Max, and she tries her best to get him to come around and open up to her. They each have a secret, but she’s not privy to his as he is hers, and that disadvantage weighs on her. Not because of the unfairness of it all, but because she cares for him and can see he’s hurting. Through it all, they did find time to enjoy each other, making this a well-balanced story. I enjoyed reading their story and I wish to revisit them in the future.

I enjoyed Max and Phoebe journey to happy ever after. Both are wonderful characters, and I easily fell in love with them. I loved Phoebe strength, her wit, and how good she was at sparring with Max and rattling his heart. He met his match in Phoebe and it was a sweet experience watching as he overcame his fears and tumbled into love with her. The author’s writing was also so vibrant, creative, and engaging, I was hooked from the beginning to the end.
I recommend.

Lady Phoebe Landon and her family have only been given a lukewarm reception back into society after the scandal they suffered when Phoebe's father gambled away their fortune. When Grace, Phoebe's sister, married an earl, invitations slowly started to come again, but it's a precarious situation. Phoebe knows that she has to avoid any hint of impropriety, so she intends to walk the straight and narrow path.

Max has his future planned, and it doesn't include a wife or children. He loves and dearly wants custody of his orphaned nephew, Thomas, but his mother (Thomas' grandmother) won't relinquish him because of Max' rakish reputation. So Max devises a plan to acquire a temporary fiancée - once his mother has become convinced he's going to settle down, she'll release Thomas to him, and then he can quietly end the engagement. Max also knows exactly who will pose as his fiancée - Phoebe Landon. Max knows that she needs to avoid scandal, and he knows a very damaging secret about her sister. When Phoebe refuses, Max resorts to blackmail, threatening to reveal the secret and causing further scandal to the Landon family. Phoebe has no choice but to agree.

Max and Phoebe were previously acquainted, but didn't know each other very well. Now that they are engaged and spending time together, they grow to genuinely like each other. Phoebe begins to think she'd like this to be a real engagement, and though Max feels the same, he refuses to break his vow to himself never to wed or to be a father. He won't tell Phoebe why, though it's clear he would dearly love to have her for his wife. So Phoebe decides to do some blackmailing of her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading TO COVET A LADY'S HEART. It was pretty clear almost from the beginning that Max was not a bad person, and that his blackmail was done out of desperation and love for his nephew. The reason Max refuses to father children of his own is revealed fairly early on, though I would have liked to know much more about that whole situation than was revealed. Phoebe makes for a great heroine, with her strength, intelligence, compassion, and wittiness. This couple is clearly in love and deserves to have a happy ever after. They have genuine obstacles to overcome, and not all of them are resolved in this book, but I was left with the belief that their love is strong, and that together they will face whatever comes their way. I totally enjoy Ingrid Hahn's writing - the story flowed smoothly and I love her dialogue. TO COVET A LADY'S HEART is a delightful read that receives my solid recommendation.

A step back in time to 1812 London. Lord Maxfield requires a fiancée, and has chosen Lady Phoebe.

Lady Phoebe is a strong willed, quick thinking woman. Max comes off as dark and devious, but a select few get to see what is under the public persona.

I had so much fun reading To Covet a Lady's Heart. Ms. Hahn wrote her characters beautifully, creating a unique and enthralling story for her readers. The games that are played are fun, and a bit wicked. I loved watching the two attempt to fight their attraction, until the game gets changed.

A truly lovely book any historical romance reader would love!

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*
*Read & Reviewed by Tracy K.*

Loved this historical read. Fast paced with lots of drama, I was hooked from beginning to end.

Although this is part two in a series, you do not need to have read the first in order for this story to make sense. You will not feel as though you are missing anything by not reading it, and if you have read the first, you will be happy to see Phoebe's sister Grace and her husband make an appearance.

Max was a character that it took a while to actually like. At first, I thought that his quest to settle down in order to obtain custody of his nephew was admirable, but his way of going about it was downright deplorable. First to blackmail Phoebe into agreeing to a farce of an engagement with seemingly no regard for her reputation, then to almost toy with her feelings as the farce went along made it exceedingly hard to like him. His reasoning for behaving the way he did were understandable to an extent (even if the evil/mad father is becoming a bit too commonplace in these types of novels), however it does not grant a "free pass".

Eventually though, these two do find a balance, and it was very interesting to see how they made their relationship work. And with characters as interesting and complex as these two were, it definitely added a new level of depth that was very enjoyable.

I am sure this story will appeal to those who enjoy a well written historical romance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

To Covet a Lady's Heart by Ingrid Hahn is Book 2 of the Landon Sisters Series. Though this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

What a touching and heartwarming series. Ms. Hahn has brought her wonderful tale to life with her endearing characters, detailed world and captivating storyline. Loved it and looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hahn's writing.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

'To Covet a Lady's Heart' by Ingrid Hahn is book Two in the "Landon Sisters" series. This is the story of Lady Phoebe and Lord Maxfeld. Max's mother is raising his sister's child and he has decided that he wants to take the child to raise himself. But his mother feels that is wild ways and reputation shows that he would not be a good guardian for the child. But Max thinks to change her mind with a engagement to show that he is changed and responsible. But needs to have a pretend engagement and thinks that Phoebe will be just the women. Max knows something on her sister and if she doesn't agree easily with his scam he will blackmail her to go along. Phoebe has a mind set to never marry and just goes along with having the Season of the town. Phoebe is somewhat shocked with Max asked her to play along with his fake engagement. But she refuses so Max goes forward with using the blackmail. But Phoebe has some rules of her own if she goes along with him. Max and Phoebe go forward with their engagement but Phoebe turns the table on him and ends up blackmailing him to go along with her new plan how this engagement ends.
Max and Phoebe were a couple to love. Max was set in not getting married due to how his father treated his mother and the family. Phoebe had went through hard times with they lost their money and standing with the town. But with her sister marriage it has put her family back in good standing. Ms. Hahn writing is just beautiful...she creates a story that sucks you in! I enjoyed reading aka 'watching' the interaction of between these two! Looking forward to more books in this series by Ms. Hahn!
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This love story doesn’t begin in blackmail. Phoebe and Max have been acquainted for a while and both have felt an attraction. Max needs a fiancé but he has no need for a wife. He chooses to blackmail Phoebe into helping him. What’s a little blackmail between friends, right? What the dashing buck doesn’t expect is to fall deeply and irrevocably in love with his fake bride.

As for Phoebe, she somehow is able to overlook the terrible secret Max holds over her and sees the man he is underneath it all. Love comes unexpected and she realizes the only way to make Max her husband is to blackmail him right back.

I fell in love with Hahn’s writing with the first book in the Landon Sisters series, To Win a Lady’s Heart, Corbeau and Grace’s story. She brings those creative juices back in the second novel ten fold. Max is one of the most intriguing characters I’ve read in historical romance set in this period. He is one thing on the surface, but something almost completely different underneath. I couldn’t stop reading until I knew Max’s final secret which Hahn doesn’t reveal until late in the novel. Those pages to get to the prize kept me throughly entertained.

Phoebe is the youngest of the Landon sisters, but she has skills the others probably don’t possess. She is highly intelligent and extremely observant, two fantastic characteristics when paired up with Max in his devious scheme. I loved how Hahn kept Phoebe’s innocence, yet gave her a strong backbone to plow through her difficult life with. I don’t know how you couldn’t love a woman who figures out how to blackmail a man into doing something he swore never to do. I remember jumping up and screaming “Yes” when I realized the pair would indeed be married.

I enjoyed every moment of this novel and look forward to seeing what Hahn might have in store for the other two Landon sisters. Whatever she dreams up, it’s sure to be an adventure!

George Fitzhugh Earl of Maxfeld (Max) is a notorious rake but wants custody of his nephew Thomas & his mother wishes for him to marry. So Max decides to pretend he's reformed and find a fake wife. And there is nobody more suitable than Lady Phoebe Landon. Phoebe will not agree to a false engagement and leaves Max no option but to blackmail her into agreeing to his scheme.
Phoebe will go to great lengths to avoid anything remotely dishonourable and blackmails Max right back,directly to the altar.
This is the second book in the series, it could be read as a standalone. The verbal sparring between Max & Phoebe is delightful, as Corbeau said to Max he’s met his match. Max isn’t all he’s made out to be & hides a family secret but Phoebe sees how he behaves to his mother & Thomas so wants to know the real Max. A well written story about learning to let go of the past & to live for the future. The characters are well portrayed & the pace of the book is good. I thoroughly enjoyed it & look forward to the other Landon sisters stories

I received this from Netgalley/ publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was definitely better than book 1. I did not enjoy book 1 but this was definitely an improvement. The story flowed a lot better and the characters were well done. I can tell that the author has done some growing since the previous book . I hope the books continue to get better as the series continues.

I really liked it. It's an interesting story about two people who can't let "past buried". Soon they will learn that it's better to let go of the past because that's the only way to secure their future's happiness.
Lady Phoebe fears scandal. Her family has suffered enough due to her father's problems. Society hasn't forgotten. They were poor for a long time. Now that her sister has married well things have turned around. Old acquaintances, who turned their backs on them, now wants to reconnect. But she remembers. And she promised herself that no matter what there must not be any scandal associated with her ever. So when Lord Maxfeld asked her to be his fiance for a few months she simply cannot say yes. It can only end in a scandal and she won't do that to her family.
Maxfeld wants his nephew more than anything else in the world. The only way his mother will let Thomas live with him is he were to marry. But marriage is not for him. He promised himself that he will never marry nor will he ever have children of his own. It's too risky. What if he turned out to be just like his father? He can never hurt anyone the way his father hurt his mother. So the only choice is to find someone who will pretend to be his fiance long enough to convince his mother. That's all. There will be no happily-ever-after for him. Fortunately he knows just the lady... he will convince her no matter by what means.
It's a very well-written novel. I thoroughly enjoyed Lady Phoebe and Lord Maxfeld's story. Both are interesting characters and the book kept me on my toes. It was the right amount of romantic, emotional, and intriguing.