A unique trope to me in historical romance, but it works really with the constraints put in women in this era.

Well written book with great storyline and plot. A sweet book that has great romance. The story is true to it's time period and the language is also. I like when an author has made research about the time period they want to write the story in.

I love the couples journey towards their HEA. There is drama, family issues, passion, emotions and some twists. Instant attraction.

Nice chemistry and passion. I like the main characters and how they develop. The story flows nicely and it is very captivating from first to last chapter. But it could have had more depth to it.
A new author for me but she surprised me with her writing. Absolutely not the last book I will read from her.

The author has delivered a story that is worth the read!

I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

My first by this author. I like the story about Hugh and Eleanor an can recommend this book

This book made me so angry. I could not stand Hugh. He literally just only thought about himself. I was definitely not a fan.

I really enjoyed this book, I was hook on this book. I couldn't put it down, until I was done .

I was unable to review this book because it wasn't downloaded in time.

Hope love lost but regained through learning to listen and be open. Wondered till the end of the main characters would get together in the end. Engaging.

Loved this story!! Second chance at love is always one of my favorite types of stories.

Even with all the years apart, the chemistry between Hugh and Eleanor was just as hot as it was before. After what Hugh had gone through with his own mother, I had to wonder if he would ever forgive Eleanor for her deception. I'm so glad that it worked out!!

I can't wait to see what Mingle comes up with next!

A Lady's Deception starts out quite passionately! Hugh and Eleanor spend one night in the wild passion but now years have passed can they pick up where they left off? Hugh is still enamored with Eleanor and she realizes she still cares for him but she has too much to focus on and a relationship will not help. The path that they take to get back together was a romantic on Hugh"s part and sometimes annoying on Eleanors. Keep in mind I understand why she wanted to keep her secret BUT she knew she could not keep it forever....so that was a little frustrating sometimes but understandable. What I enjoyed about the book was that there were great secondary characters as well- Eleanor and Hugh's relationship was not the sole focus. Overall, a good read!! (Side note: I am hoping for a book about Ned!!)

A lady's deception

By Pamela Mingle

Good storyline for a historical romance. Although, it begins like many boy meets girl romances. It becomes quite intriguing when it goes against tradition. However, some parts are a little rushed and a little iffy. The majority of the book is okay. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a lovely story. This was my first Pamela Mingle book and I loved it very much.
It's very well written. This was a great second chance love story.

This romance story was sweet, reminding me of Downton Abbey (which is, of course, set in a different time period). I liked the chemistry Hugh and Eleonora had from the start and enjoyed the slow dance around each other until they found their happily ever after.

Eleanor Broxton and Hugh Grey had very strong feelings for each other and spent an incredible night together before he headed off for war in Canada. Now two years later, Hugh is back with plenty of money; knighted and finding people calling him 'Sir'. Yet, there's one thing he wants more than anything, and that's to have Eleanor back in his life and by his side. Will Hugh be able to win Eleanor back, or will the secret she's been keeping turn them against each other when Hugh learns the truth?

Although I haven't read the first book of this series, I found this story could easily be read as a stand-alone, and it's a story that was totally riveting due to the main characters back stories, the secret the heroine is hiding from the hero, the tension between the main characters and the secondary ones that had me wanting to discover more about why Hugh is at odds with his family and why the heroine is having so much trouble dealing with someone determined to keep her apart from someone she loves. Will Hugh's family be able to find a way to repair things with the hero? Will the heroine find a way to protect someone she loves?

As for the dialogue, it had me hooked due to the main characters back stories and the history between them that has the heroine desperate to keep her secret hidden from the hero. Will she be able to keep her secret under wraps or will Hugh discover the truth? Moreover, the dialogue was also intense due to the main characters back stories, as the heroine hasn't always had the best relationship with her parents, but it seems her dad is determined to do better, which is proven by everything he does for her. However, in saying that, with a mother like hers who needs enemies?

Both the main characters were intriguing and I really enjoyed their interactions, as the hero is determined to win Eleanor over, no matter how many times she snubs him or does her best to stay away from him. I also liked how kind and considerate he was and that he was determined to help her in any way he could, especially when it came to her career as a designer and anyone that dares to make her feel like she's less than the good woman she is. While the heroine, she's been through so much and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her when it came to dealing with her mother; a mother that should support her daughter and not make her feel like she should be punished for what the woman sees as Eleanor's mistake that could lead to a scandal. Really, is mixing with their social circle more important than her daughter? Yet, I liked that the heroine was strong, brave and finally stood up to those that were determined to make her feel like her life wasn't good enough because of what they believe was ruin to her name. However, in saying that, I did find her need to run to her dad to fix things was a bit hard to handle, especially when Hugh was so willing to help her if she just let him in. Will the truth come out before Eleanor can reveal to the hero what she's hiding?

Overall, Ms. Mingle has delivered a story with plenty of chemistry between the main characters that kept me wondering if they'd ever find their way back to each other, considering the tough obstacles they faced; and plenty of emotion that had me sympathizing with both the hero and heroine. The way this story ended had me loving the hero more than I already did, as he's driven and so determined to win back the heroine after everything he puts her through. Can she forgive him? Furthermore, I liked how the hero made things right with the secondary characters in his family that deserve his forgiveness and the chance for them to be the family they never got to be because of what happened between his mother and father that turned his father into a man unwilling to compromise. I would recommend A Lady's Deception by Pamela Mingle, if you enjoy Historical Romance, second chance romances, or books by authors Tina Gabrielle, Callie Hutton, Stacy Reid and Christi Caldwell.

A second chance at love story and a secret that could ruin that love. Finding out if these characters could overcome their past and move forward to a happier future was an enjoyable experience.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley.

I admired Eleanor's work ethic and her perseverance. She tried to make the best of a bad situation. I thought that Hugh was a strong character and willing to make changes in his life. I enjoyed their story and would like to read "A False Proposal (Haslemere Men #1.)"

'A Lady's Decption' by Pamela Mingle is Book Two in the "Haslemere Men" Series. This is the story of Mr. Hugh Grey and Miss Eleanor Broxton. I have read the previous book but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Hugh and Eleanor had been friends when they were younger and on the Eve of him leaving for Canada he wanted to say goodbye to Eleanor. They had an encounter in the barn that meant everything to Eleanor and she hoped it meant something to Hugh. But for about three years she never heard from him and now his is back in town trying to fix up his old childhood home. Eleanor is working as a seamstress trying to earn money much to her parents upset but her and her parents have a secret that they are keeping. Eleanor feels this money will help her start a new life. but now Hugh is back and she knows she has to stay away from him to keep her secret. Eleanor is also somewhat upset that he never contacted her in all those years he was gone and he has been back in town for all most a month and he hasn't reach out to her.
Hugh is trying to fix up his home and his life before moving forward with someone and he finds that he still has feelings for Eleanor but she seems distant and sad to him.
This was a great second chance at love story.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

OK Read
I struggled slightly with this book, one because of inaccuracies (a skunk, in England?) but also because of the hero. He is several times described as a gentleman but he seems to have little honour in his dealings with Eleanor. He seems to assume because she slept with him once as a young, naive girl she will be willing to do so again, without the benefit of marriage or at the very least an understanding. Why he would think that whilst she is not a widow nor a woman of loose morals is rather inexplicable. I had rather more sympathy with his reaction when he found out Eleanor's secret and could understand why he would need time to come to terms with it. Because of my disconnect with the characters I at times I found this book boring and could have done with the storyline being tightened and shortened.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Even though this is number two in a series, you do not have to have read the first in order to enjoy this one. Yes, characters from book one do make an appearance in this one, and certain themes do carry over, but this story is about Hugh and Eleanor first and foremost.

This story was one of those unfortunate cases where I feel it feel solidly in the middle of the road for me. The writing was decent, the plot-line was ok, but over all something was just missing.

Hugh and Eleanor were interesting characters. They obviously held each other in some regard since he sought her out before he left for Canada, and she gave him her virtue in a barn, but they were young when that happened, and I would expect war and the harsh realities of plain growing up would have changed them in some way, or at least made them more careful. However, this does not appear to be the case. Them having an attraction to one another is understandable. Them acting on it almost immediately? Both should have known better, considering their history.

These two are either at odds with each other, or bedding each other. I feel like the author could have spent more time exploring what they could be to each other now that they were older instead of showcasing the passion we already knew they had.

The big thing that killed it for me was when one of the major plot points happens, and while anger and even a bit of resentment is justified, the way it played out was nearly distasteful. Hugh is downright cruel to Eleanor, but then he "has time to think about it", and suddenly realizes he still loves her and expects her to just forgive him and carry on as though nothing has happened? And she doesn't put up much of a fight about it? I couldn't believe it.

Overall, I think this novel will still appeal to those who enjoy historical romance. I would read more from this author!

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.

Hugh Grey has finished his army service and returned home after the death of his father. After more than two years away he has a lot of responsibilities to take on. He carries a lot of emotional baggage and often speaks before he thinks.
Miss Eleanor Broxton is an independent and strong minded young woman. She is working extremely hard towards a definite goal. The last thing she needs is the distraction that comes with the man who plays a big part in her reasons for working so hard.
Get a big box of tissues ready because this is a very emotional story. Can our hero put away his harsh views and learn how to forgive?.
A lovely heroine with a huge heart.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Hugh and Eleanor's story was "sigh worthy". And, I mean that in a good way! Hugh was so romantic and sweet. He gave Eleanor a kitten, for Heaven's sake! That was a "swoon worthy" move in my opinion. Eleanor can't help but be swept off of her feet by Hugh, again. But, the secret she is hiding from him could destroy everything.

I was instantly drawn into this tale of second chances, and I did not want to put my Kindle down. The characters were written with such heart and depth. The plot was interesting and fast moving. The descriptions of people, scenery and clothing were rich and vivid. And, in addition to everything else, I think I may have found a new "book boyfriend" in the dashing, handsome and romantic Sir Hugh!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.