Guest Review by Joann Maggio
This is book two of the Midnight Secret Series although this book is a stand alone.

Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing is commanding in his financial matters but lacks that same ability in matters of love. Dearing was mesmerized when he first saw Lady Charlotte and followed her to all the balls she attended never revealing himself.

When he observed her being pursued by other bachelors he knew his shyness would lose the love of his life. The same methods used by him in his financial decisions he applied To turn the tables in his favor. Although, somewhat unscrupulous it worked. This secret of his machinations ate at his inner conscience.

Charlotte and Dearing’s marriage certainly did not get off to a great start. His conscience and shyness being the problem.

Ms Bryant has a gifted way with her characters that warms you inside and out. One moment you urging him on to speak his thoughts and the next your terrified of how Charlotte will feel when she realizes all her own choices were taken from her.

While hoping for a HEA you don’t see how it is possible. Read this book and see..

I really enjoyed this story of Jeremy and Charlotte. They are a married couple but are really living as polite strangers. Jeremy has to take steps to woo his wife and move their marriage into a true relationship. Charlotte learns to come out of her shell and become a strong heroine.

The book disappeared from my reading list so quickly I couldn’t even download it. I really wanted to read it and am disappointed I didn’t get to. I’m giving it 3 stars only due to the fact I didn’t get to read it.

In monetary matters, Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, is used to being in control, but from his first sight of Lady Charlotte, his carefully cultivated world is rocked to its foundations. Determined to best her other, more eligible suitors, he goes to great lengths to ensure his betrothal to Charlotte. A locked black leather box holds the dark secret that has assured his success.
This was kind of a slow-moving book with a plot I wasn’t sure was going to pay off. As I read it, I understood Jeremy’s avoidance but had a problem with deciding if I could forgive what he did to get his way rather than get over his issues. I really mostly just felt bad for Charlotte.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Given the plot, I was expecting (or hoping? What can I say I like a bad boy) more villainous hero, but the more sweet romance was actually rather endearing, given both leads' insecurities and ways of dealing with their fears. Not a drama-filled romp but a nevertheless enjoyable quieter read for this trope.

Although "London's Best Kept Secret" started out with great potential, it quickly turned slow and boring. The entire first half was literally just the constant re-hashing of the conflict between the hero and heroine--which a single conversation could have (and later did) solved. A hint of a plot entered later...but too late to salvage the book; that aspect should have popped up sooner and been threaded through the entire book. This book could actually have ended 75% through, once the hero and heroine declared their feelings for each other...but it kept going to wrap up loose ends that should have been addressed sooner. Basically, this book dragged and was very difficult to finish.

The writing was okay and I did actually like the characters, but the author's misuse of "lie/lay" and "sneaked/snuck" grew extremely annoying. Not sure if I'd read her again or not.

.London's best kept secret was the second in this series. It is not necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. Jeremy wanted Charlotte the second he heard he play and manipulates her father in order to gain her hand. He is consumed by guilt and unable to create a happy marriage. All Charlotte wants is for Jeremy to love her but she believes she has done something wrong. The story is different but It felt too long and repetitive. I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

A plot based on a marriage of convenience, this story enthralls and engages right from the first page. Lord Dearing is a shy and stern hero who is deeply in love with his wife but cannot express his feelings for her. I loved both of their characters and I am a total sucker for a good marriage of convenience story and their story just made my heart full. If like me you also adore marriage of convenience tropes, be sure to pick this book up.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Such a good book! Jeremy and Charlotte are both at a loss in their marriage. Jeremy wanted Charlotte fiercely and won her. But what was he to do after the win? Ignore her, leave her all alone? That is what he did and Charlotte is baffled by him.
Jeremy loves his bride and wants her more than anything. But he won her hand by deceit and can't bear to make their marriage a real one and truly commit to her. He is keeping secrets from her, explosive secrets, that may just destroy their marriage before it gets a chance.
Lots of emotion, angst and heartache in this novel. Characters are realistic and likable. As a reader, you will root for this couple to work out their issues and for Charlotte to give Jeremy a chance to prove how much he really loves and wants her.

Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing fell in love with Lady Charlotte Notley when he first saw her playing at a ton recital. He knew because he had a minor title, he would be low on her father's list for her hand. Jeremy is a financial genius and uses his acumen to drive Charlotte's family into financial ruin. He then rescues her family and gets her hand in marriage.

Ten months later, Charlotte is confused about why her husband is distant and her marriage isn't consummated. She attempts to entice him into the marriage bed, but is she prepared for what she will uncover?

I liked this book and the characters. It was sort of an arranged marriage where the characters have to get to know each other and fall in love. Jeremy was a man that knew what he wanted. Charlotte was a strong woman, yet quiet and introspective with her love of the piano. There was so much angst in this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

I’m going to come right out and say it; if you’ve been reading other reviews and thinking this is a ‘marriage of convenience turns to love’ kind of book? That’s not what this is.

This is, in fact, a ‘complete scum bag ruins heroine’s family so she is forced to marry him’ kind of book. And really… is there a way back from a hole that deep?

It gets worse when you realize that since Charlotte was in her first season, she was EIGHTEEN when Lord Dearing pulled off this nasty plot. Apparently, he first saw her performing on the piano at some society event and decided he had to have her. Realising his minor title (he’s a viscount) puts him well back in the race for the hand of a lovely, titled, talented lady like Charlotte, he resorts to foul means to get her.

I can’t get past this. I’m sorry, I just can’t. Not only did he marry her this way, he forced her father to hand over a valuable railroad share, and then ABANDONED HER for six weeks for… some reason that’s never defined in the slightest. Ten months later they’re barely talking to each other. The only point in Dearing’s favour is that he hasn’t actually forced Charlotte to consummate the marriage, because he does have a conscience and is wracked by guilt over what he’s done. Not enough to give that railroad share back to her father, though. Or even say yes to Charlotte when she rather pathetically says she’d like a kitten to keep her company.

There are too many sub-plots going on in this story, from a distasteful bet made between a rather pathetic villain and the hero’s best friend, to a bizarre plot involving the heroine’s sister getting embroiled in a scandal which seemed to peter out with no resolution whatsoever. There was far too much of the plot driving the characters going on here, and I set the book down at the end feeling thoroughly irritated, and not a little icky at Dearing having got exactly what he wanted with no real consequences at all for his immoral and frankly villainous actions. I really can’t find any redeeming qualities in the story at all. One star.

Book Feature to appear on my blog soon.

A solid, slightly unusual concept that had me excited from the outset.

This was a “did not finish” for me. I really tried but just could not get into the story or find a liking to the hero or heroine. I would try to read another book by this author in the future.

Unfortunately I did not finish this book. All of the deception and lies that takes place were not realistic to me. The characters were miserable in their circumstances and it just couldn't keep my attention. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I was grateful to receive a free copy of London's Best Kept Secret in exchange for an honest review. I found the story intriguing. Even though it was intriguing, there really wasn't a whole lot of substance in the book. I found that the author, Annabelle Bryant, did a huge disservice to the story by beginning the plot with Charlotte and Jeremy being married. The story would have been more interesting if it began the moment Jeremy first saw Charlotte, and went into more details regarding their unusual or total lack of courtship. There were also lot of characters in the book with very little character development. As a result, I never had the opportunity to immerse myself in the story." The writing style was also very unique, and required a large vocabulary. Over all, this was a mediocre read at best,.

I've read the previous books in the series and was exited to review this one. I was sadly disappointed, though. I felt that so much if what happened in the book could have been solved by Jeremy and Charlotte actually talking to each other. Even though he lived Charlotte, I was not impressed with the way he ended up married to her. His actions were too duplicitous for my taste. This was not a bad read, but it was a favorite of mine either.

Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, is used to being in control that is until he had his first glimpse of Lady Charlotte playing at a ton recital leaves this business minded Viscount dazzled. He goes to great length to become her family’s savior and to ensure a betrothal to her. Jeremy may know business but he doesn’t know how to woo his own wife and their marriage continues in name only and Charlotte is left to her own devices wondering how to grab her husband's attention and make her marriage exactly what she wants in bed and out of it. This is an enchanting story of romance and love finding its way if only they’ll learn to trust one another after their secrets are revealed. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

I usually enjoy arranged marriage stories but this book was rough to get into and suspend disbelief. Charlotte and Jeremy were okay as characters but I struggled to connect with them.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable book by Anabelle Bryant. This is the 2nd book in a series. I had not read the first book but it did not take away from anything with this book. I enjoyed the H and h. My only complaint is I get tired of people with so many secrets when all you have to do is talk to each other! I great HEA does happen and I enjoyed some of the secondary characters. Will read another by this author and would recommend to most!

Did not finish. I’m sorry to say that I just could not get into this book. I have enjoyed Ms. Bryant’s other book and I am hoping to come back to this book at a later time and give it another try.
I will not be posting this review anywhere but here