Jess, Haven Manor’s enigmatic cook, cannot stand spending even a minute with the annoying Derek Thornbury. First, he invades her kitchen to examine the crockery, then he proceeded to tell her how to make Napels biscuits. He’s supposed to catalog the art collection at Haven Manner, not hound the cook.

She’d poison his tea (not fatally, of course) if she thought it would stop his incessant ‘Did you know’ questions. He had a way of making her feel the loss of all she should have had if her family had survived.

But she needs his help. Desperately. Someone from her former life discovers her whereabouts and sends her a coded message telling her that her brother survived and needs her to solve a riddle laid out over a century beforehand. She alone holds the key—a diary passed down through the generations—and written in Italian.

Although she has a flawless verbal command of Italian, only one person at Haven Manor can translate it to English in a timely manner. Derek. She’d rather throw a knife at him. For three years she has hidden at Haven Manor and not even Kit and Daphne, her best friends, know her story—or even her last name.

But if the note tells the truth, she has little time left to solve the riddle—and she’ll need an art expert fluent in Italian to help her. Along the way, Jess learns the true meaning of family and discovers that Derek has more bottom to him than she ever imagined.

Readers can enjoy the third book in the Haven Manor series without first reading the other two (Kit and Daphne’s stories). But why not check them out, too? All three have intrigue and suspense wrapped around an engaging love story that will inspire you.

Hunter brings in characters from other series (Hawthorne House) that seem like welcome old friends if you’ve met them before. I love reading books about the Regency period where the characters have more purpose than sporting the perfect fashions and attending the most important events of the Season.

As with all of Kristi Ann Hunter's books, this story is perfection. I love traveling back in time and learning history and culture and being thoroughly entertained. I was drawn into this Regency tale quickly, and I love the wit, humor, and the deeper emotions.

Jess and Derek are unique and interesting, clever and clueless. As with each story, I slowed my pace toward the last pages because I simply didn't want this story to end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was no obligated to leave a positive review.

After her family's murders, Jess Beuchene, left only with the diary her father entrusted with her and family legends about their beloved home country, Verbonne, worked with the English to defeat Napoleon. Having finished her work, she moved on, ending up working as a cook in a home for unwed mothers and their children, never expecting that she would receive word that her brother, long presumed dead, is alive and trying to claim his place as king of Verbonne. In order to do that, however, he needs a special symbol of his right to rule--and the secret of where to find that item is hidden in the words of the diary Jess has kept safe. Although she'd prefer to work alone, the diary is written in Italian and describes various works of art, and Jess must enlist the help of Derek Thornbury, an art expert who can also translate the diary. Unfortunately for her, he's one of the most annoying people she has ever met--and while he agrees to help, he asks far too many questions and sees through her attempts to give him as little information as possible. Determined to be a full partner in their quest, Derek doesn't settle for Jess's half-answers and evasiveness; he pushes for more and in so doing, he comes to know Jess better than anyone.

Wow! This is a thrilling read. I've been waiting for Jess's story, because she's been such a fascinating side character in the author's previous books, and this book did not disappoint. I loved seeing the interactions between sarcastic, world-wise Jess and scholarly, somewhat oblivious Derek--and especially seeing the moments when Derek wasn't quite as obtuse as Jess thought. I loved how Derek, while determined to help, recognized that there were things that Jess was better at than he was and didn't try to stop her from doing them, while also asserting himself when he did have the strengths needed to help. I also loved seeing other characters from previous books who refused to let Jess brush them off in her attempts to keep them safe and protect them from caring about her. This was a great conclusion to the series.

4.5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was the perfect conclusion to this wonderful and heartwarming series. I have loved getting to know each of these incredible women. The risks they took to do the right thing was inspiring and amazing.
I was so excited to finally get Kit's story. She's always been such a mysterious character and I loved getting to know why.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical fiction.