My Darling, My Disaster is the second book in the Lords of Essex series. It doesn't follow up the events of the first book, My Rogue, My Ruin, since the events of both books are happening at the same time. If you have read the first book, I am sure you will remember some of the scenes. For me, the first book was better than My Darling, My Disaster. I hope the third book will have more romance and mystery to keep me entertained.

The book had a rather slow pace. I felt like it was dragging at some points, but the action picked after a while. This is the second book where I was left wondering how the heroine wasn't fired from her job after the way she spoke to the person who was paying her. Lana as a princess had an attitude, but it wasn't the one that's proper for a maid. Also, she spends more time not being a maid, than she spends doing her job. I don't care if Gray "knew" that Lana was something more than a maid. I am not sure if Gray "knew" anything other than to love Sophia and his family. I would have liked to see more scenes where he is with Sophia.

I still don't know why Gray and Hawk were fighting. They seemed to be friends in the beginning of the book, but then something changed and there was some rivalry between them. I am hoping for answers in the third book. I don't know who is going to be the hero of the first book. but I want him to be the man who helped Lana and Irina stay safe.

For something that was supposed to be an erotic historical romance, it lacked steam for me. Well, not the steam that I am used to with historical erotic romance. This had an okay story and the writing style was okay, but it wasn't a story that wowed me, unfortunately.

I think that the authors have some promise, they have some good ideas that were simply executed poorly. I think if they had focused the story more directly on the main two characters and separated it more from the previous novel it would’ve gone so much better. There were some pretty big spoilers that turned me away from picking up the other book. It makes sense that it would have to take place in a similar time frame given that Lana is Brynn’s maid, but you’ve got to leave some of the good parts for readers to discover in the other book.

A very good story that contained very well portrayed characters. Lots of murder and kidnapping as well as romance. Enjoyed.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

While reading the first book in the series, My Rogue, My Ruin, I was really hoping that the next book would feature Graham and Lana. I was so excited that it did. Howard and Morgan did an excellent job of giving us glimpses of their interactions without giving us too much of their story ahead of time.

I read book 1 and 2 back to back and I'm so glad that I did. Graham and Lana's story intertwines with the characters of the first story. If I had read them months apart, I would have had a hard time remembering what had happened in the first book.

Having said all that, I loved watching Graham and Lana interact. I was fun watching Lana act a certain way as to not give away her identity and that ended up causing many interesting interactions as her natural inclinations aways tended to come forward.

I'm really hoping that Howard and Morgan keep teaming up to write because I have throughly enjoyed the two stories that I have read by them!

I must remark that I have to go back and read My Rogue, My Ruin, I am in love with the enchanting characters. The fantasy historical world of romance, royal, nobility, secrets, past, danger, and mystery. The characters are charming, intriguing, strong willed, self-assured, intelligent, crafty, and bit more of what I like and don’t like at times.

There was a princess. A real and true princess. But she was not the one being pampered. She was the one doing the work and given lots of sass. Lana was a princess that knew about life, good and bad. She had to make do to make it. She was not beneath the task given her to survive and see that her uncle pays and she and her sister live. But she was not counting on the lord of the manor to be so specious of her. Lord Graham had things he wanted to keep hidden so he knew a thing or two about someone hiding things. This Lana person. She had something she was hiding and Graham was determined to find out what it was.

This read was one filled with twist and turns for a historical romantic suspense with secrets, lies, murder plots, strong wills, and stubborn lady’s maid. This was a fascinating suspense with much conspiracy and a bit of sexiness wrapped with nobility and royalty.

I love Lana. Gray had his moments of success also. He loved his sister and wanted no harm to come to her. There was also something about the lady’s maid that had him wanting more from her also. She was feisty, regal, strong-willed, self-assured, alluring, captivating and he knew there is more to her than what she presents.

Howard and Morgan gave me a historical romance that had me turning pages and wanting so much more. I want to know the other stories that run alongside this one. I want to know what happens to Lana and Graham’s sisters. I want more of the Lords of Essex.

I enjoyed My Darling, My Disaster and I would recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Lana and Gray, and I stayed up reading until 4am to finish their story. The plot was lovely, and the characters well developed. Lana was brave, self-assured, and not a push over, which I really liked. Gray was honorable, charming, though a bit too jealous for me at times, he was still very likable. Lana and Gray meshed together wonderfully, their attraction and eventual surrender to the passion between them was sweet, sensual and heartfelt. I am now eager to read book one, My Rogue, My Ruin.

Lana and her younger sister are Russian Princesses. They ran away to England to escape their uncle who killed their parents. She takes up the role of a lady’s maid while her sister goes into hiding in the countryside.

Gray isn’t impressed with his sister’s new lady’s maid. They take an instant dislike to each other but that doesn’t stop them from falling for each other. When Lana’s secret identity is revealed and Gray’s own secret comes to life will they get their happily ever after?

I really enjoyed My Darling, My Disaster. It was captivating and I didn’t want to put it down. This author duo is a new one for me and they are excellent writers that mesh well. You can’t tell who wrote which parts. I look forward to reading more by these two!

Princess Svetlanka Volkonsky is hiding from her uncle who murdered her parents. She fled to England, and is working as a maid. The man who helped her and her sister escape is trying to find the proof they need that her uncle is a traitor.
Lord Graham Findlay, Viscount Northridge is not happy about his sister's new relationship. He is hiding a secret of his own, but knows his sister's new maid is also hiding something. That must be why he can't stop watching her.
This is the second book in the series but easily read as a stand alone. It is actually set in the same time line as book one, so if like me you have read that, some scenes are familiar but seen from a different perspective.
There is a lot of excitement, intrigue, danger and some hot sexy scenes.
I loved it.

It's an interesting historical romance novel. I had loved book one in Lords of Essex series, and this one is just as good. It can be read as standalone novel. Story is about Princess Svetlanka Volkonsky. She is running away from her Uncle. Living with false identity, she never realised that her past can come back to haunt her. Because of her Uncle she had to leave her home, and everything dear to her behind. All she wants is to keep her sister, and herself safe.
She is living as a maid of Lord Graham Findlay's sister. For some reason he doesn't trust her. May be he knows that she is hiding something and wants to reveal her secret.
It's a very enjoyable read. I liked both Princess Svetlanka (I don't think I'm pronouncing this name right ;) ) and Lord Graham. Story is also very intriguing and well-written. I loved it!

*4.5 Stars

With this book, you get some really fantastic intrigue and even some action, and I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting for the culmination of everything.

The setting is just so fantastic that you get whisked away to Victorian England, dancing at balls with women in gorgeous gowns and men in their finest, visiting gaming halls of gentleman chatting while playing cards, and walking or riding through the countryside where wildflowers grow. It is really written that well, so that everything is vivid and it really helps set the tone.

Lana and Gray are such great characters that I was intrigued from the moment I met them (which was in the first book, but getting into their heads this book was such a treat!). Lana is every bit the sophisticated and graceful princess-mascarading-as-a-maid, while possessing fire and bravado that really makes you love her. Gray appears to be a rogue, but is really sweet, caring, loyal, and not without a sense of humor.

Between the characters, the secrets Lana and Gray keep, and the way that they fiercely protect those secrets while getting lost in the connection they share (that neither wants to admit is there until they have already - emotionally - laid themselves mostly bare) are what made this a new favorite of mine.

Of note to anyone who read the first book (or who hasn't but wants to), My Rogue, My Ruin, is that this book takes place alongside the first, with overlapping timelines. It gives a perspective at times of the first book from Lana and Gray, which I thought was fun. If you haven't read the first book though, this one does have some spoilers to it, so read them in order! (And they are both most definitely worth a read!!).

4.5
'My Darling, My Disaster' by Amalie Howard is book Two in the "Lords of Essex" series. This is the story of Princess Svetlanka Volkonsky aka 'Lana' and Lord Graham Findlay, Viscount Northridge 'Gray'. This book can be a standalone book but if you have read the first book "My Rogue, My Ruin" then you will see some of the same scene in this book...these book coincide.
Svetlanka is a Princes and she overheard her Uncle reporting that he would be killing Svetlanka and her sister. So Svetlanka and her sister went on the run and now Svetlanka is posing as Lana a Ladies maid to Gray's sister. Svetlanka has to stay undercover until there is evidence that her Uncle did kill his brother and now means to kill them. Gray has his own secrets that he doesn't want anyone to know about that has made him swore off women for a while. But Svetlanka 'Lana' and him are butting heads and Gray knows there is something more to Svetlanka than she is letting on.
Enjoyed reading this book! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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I really liked the first book in this series, because the plot was so intriguing, as it was a romance combined with a mystery. The plot of this book, the second in the series, wasn't quite as interesting in my opinion as it held pretty closely to the typical romance pattern of heroine in disguise as servant, then falls for the master, and it didn't have a mystery to solve like the first book did. However, the book was still well written, and the way the passionate tension evolves between Gray (Lord Graham Findlay) and Lana still kept my interest. I also enjoyed how the timeline of this story overlapped that of the first book, so you can see how much of the story you were missing just viewing everything from one set of point of views in each book. Initially, I didn't like the Gray character as he seemed very consumed with what was going on within himself, but as the authors continued the book you got to see the other people in his life that he cared about and that his internal restraint didn't consume his life entirely. I would be curious to see what story would be told next in this universe/series.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book exchange for an honest review.

Publisher's Description:

Lord Graham Findlay, the shamelessly virile Viscount Northridge, has a disgraceful secret, one he’ll do anything to hide. Holding his passions at bay, Gray has sworn off the fairer sex. But when temptation comes in the form of an intriguing woman he cannot easily avoid, Gray’s integrity—and his most depraved desires—are put to the ultimate test.

Self-assured and carefree Princess Svetlanka Volkonsky never dreamed she would one day become a lady’s maid to avoid a dangerous traitor. But danger also comes in many guises, especially in the sinful and devastatingly attractive lord of the manor who introduces her to a world of singular pleasure.

When Lana’s past emerges to threaten the life and the false identity she’s built in England, she and Gray find themselves falling into a tangled web of lies and intrigue...and the last place either of them expected to fall...in love.

My Thoughts:
This well written story is the second I have read by this newly formed writing duo.
Our heroine is a Russian Princess hiding from an uncle who wishes her dead and fully intends to carry out the deed. She is secretly hiding in England under a new identity as the lady's maid of our hero's sister
Our hero is a very virile young Viscount who is also hiding a secret. His rakish past has made him the unwitting father of a little girl who he has to this time successfully hidden.
Our hero and heroine take an instant dislike for each other but both hold an attraction for the other that will eventually bring them together.
Can these two find their Happily Ever After? Can their secrets and their pasts destroy this newly burgeoning love?
This book is a true page turner. I was captivated from the first chapter by the progressing attraction between these two adversaries.
It is impossible to discern one author's writing from that of the other. They have truly complimented each other in this work.
I look forward to more from this duo of authors.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher to read via NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this title and I have voluntarily left this review.

Arguably this would be a four star book due to the repeat part at the beginning, HOWEVER, to make a stand alone read I would think it would have to be done this way even if it was part of a series. So I went five stars. I was captured on page one and was smiling and then laughing and then in a suspense mood. Each part shows life and humanism in all its warts and love. I sincerely enjoyed the characters as well as the plot itself. It could of had perhaps a little more action as well as interaction with the bad guys to give it more power, but all in all I thought it was a good read. The authors did a great job intertwining the characters secrets as well as their chemistry and passion for each other. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

What a totally interesting historical romance. Good writing. Excellent storytelling.

Lord Graham Findlay, the shamelessly virile Viscount Northridge, has a disgraceful secret, one he’ll do anything to hide. Holding his passions at bay, Gray has sworn off the fairer sex for more than three years now. Then temptation comes in the form of an intriguing woman he cannot easily avoid, Gray’s integrity—and his most depraved desires—are put to the ultimate test.
Self-assured and carefree Princess Svetlanka Volkonsky never dreamed she would one day become a lady’s maid to avoid a dangerous traitor. But danger also comes in many guises.
This book is the second in the series & the timeline is very much parallel to the first. This book could well be a standalone novel, however I love series & would recommend reading the series in order. Gray & Lana are both very well portrayed as are the lesser characters. Their attraction is apparent from the start & grows by leaps & bounds. Lana & her younger sister Irena have fled Russia with coded letters that their parents were killed for, now their enemies arrive in London. The pace of the book is very good & it kept me turning the pages. There’s mystery, kidnapping & murder as well as romance. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it & look forward to more books by the authors

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book

Book 2 of the Lords of Essex Series, My Darling, My Disaster is a gem of a read. Captivating characters, lovely detail, and an interesting storyline that is wonderfully-paced really brings this story to life.

I fell head-over-heels in love with this story and the only thing that caused me to not give it 5 stars was the fact that the author used parts of the storyline from the prior book in the series to play part in this edition. My Darling, My Disaster had way more than enough going on in it to be a complete story and for those small instances, as well as one bigger instance, to have been left out; instead as the situation arose in the story, I became distracted as I tried to recollect the occurrences and compare it with this new POV. I found myself becoming removed from the storyline and that was such a shame...it was hard to go and re-immerse myself back into the story at that point. Honestly, it had no real bearing on the story and should have just been left out and allowed for the story to unfold as its own separate story...that would have been 5stars! Overall though, a very enjoyable story!

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

I received this from Netgalley/ Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Lords of Essex series. I was really looking forward to this addition to the series. We are told the story of Gary and the woman that steals his heart. I really enjoyed this a great deal. I would have rated this five stars but I really hate books that overlap previous books. I hate when the stories are repeats. It drives me crazy but I did enjoy the rest of the book just could have done without the beginning.