A chance at love between Ellen Hillgrave and Oliver McCaron, Viscount Fairview, is quickly dashed when Ellen is betrothed to the Earl of Fieldhurst. At 17, Ellen decides to accept her parents’ requests, despite her love for Oliver. Whilst they had planned to run away together and marry, Oliver is devasted when he hears that Ellen has married and had a child. It is only after another 17 years pass, that they meet again at a literary event. Much has changed with Oliver, now the Earl of Armbruster and Ellen, widowed. Ellen’s 16-year-old son, Philip is causing her considerable grief since his expulsion from Eton and he cannot understand her relationship with William Needham, surgeon to the King.
When Ellen and Oliver meet, Ellen realises that a secret that she has kept for many years, will be revealed unless she keeps her distance from Oliver. However, in doing so, her life begins to unravel.
A great storyline with all the right ingredients, romance, actions and hidden secrets. However, Ellen could at times become a bit frustrating, in her attempts to protect everyone. It did seem, that all she ended up doing was complicating things. I did enjoy the character of Oliver, and his friendship with Jacob, the Earl of Ashland (from ‘An Unwilling Earl) and Detective O’Leary, added another layer to this story. Philip also looks to be an interesting to watch out for in books to come. Well worth reading!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful love story. Ellen and Oliver has had their happily ever after delayed by seventeen years. Elena is keeping a secret that could be devastating to all the people she loves. This story shows the depth of love two people can share. It also shows how far a mother will go to protect her child. Ellen falls prey to the machinations of an evil man and Oliver becomes her knight in shining armor and rescues her. This is an intense story with a very happy ending.

Oliver & Ellen were childhood sweethearts who parted when Elen married the older Lord Fieldhurst in an arranged marriage. Seventeen years pass & Oliver McCaron is now the Earl of Armbruster, is an influential, self-made man who lives life by his own rules. Ellen is widowed with a sixteen year old son who has fallen off the rails & she is threatened by a blackmailer who could expose her secret. She’ll have to face the only man she’s ever loved and ask for help.
I love a second chance novel & this promised so much as neither Oliver nor Ellen had truly stopped loving each other & the mystery of a blackmailer always draws me in but I dislike the ‘big secret’ trope when there is really no need for it & the reasons for keeping the secret just didn't hold water for me. I really liked Oliver who loved Ellen & was determined for them to be together. I didn’t like Ellen at all & she didn't deserve Oliver, what she had stood by & let happen was beyond the pale. Otherwise this was a well written novel with much to recommend it. I do feel there should have been a disclaimer in the blurb as some events could be a trigger for some readers
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Oliver McCaron, Earl of Armbruster, spent seventeen years wondering what happened to his Ellen to change her mind about marrying him. Ellen instead married the Earl of Fieldhurst, a man twice her age. While in the same circles, the two never spoke to each other until Oliver showed up at Ellen’s salon. Oliver never intended to attend, but at the behest of the Crown, he joins the unusual crowd gathered in Ellen’s home.

Ellen’s husband passed away three years ago, leaving her to show their young son how to be an earl. Now sixteen, Philip, has been suspended from Eton and might possibly be expelled. Ellen is at her wits end since the boy believes he’s ready to take over for his late father. Through their renewed acquaintance, Ellen asks Oliver for help to set Philip on the right track.

Renowned surgeon, William, has been nipping at Ellen’s heels for months. While Ellen only sees him as a friend, William needs more. When Ellen rebuffs his proposal, William discovers a long-held secret he uses to force Ellen’s hand.

Cullen has given us another dynamic story! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The story goes back and forth between the past in the present, so we get to see Ellen and Oliver at seventeen and at thirty-four. The road they take is made even more complicated by Philip and William in very different ways. Ellen is tough with a huge heart. Her son always comes first. While he never intended to, Oliver has waited for Ellen to hold his heart once again. As always, Cullen delivers us a very satisfying ending. So, what are you waiting for? Have tissues in hand for this magnificent love story that spans almost two decades.

I received Deceiving an Earl for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Talk about true love. If Oliver didn't truly love Ellen, I'm sure he would have walked away from her if not. Most men would after being told no too many times. I enjoyed, Deceiving the Earl, very much. A lot of it made me wonder about things that happened back then. Whether things could have happened just as they did in this book.

I enjoyed this book. It had a good amount of romance, mystery, conflict and a happily ever after. It kept me interested the entire book and I was anxious to complete it. Oliver was a great hero, Ellen was a bit frustrating, but I think that was intentional by the author. The other characters added nicely to the story. 5 stars.

Ellen and Oliver fell in love at an early age, but knowing that she couldn't go against her family's wishes, she marries another. But 17 yrs later, they end up back in one another's life. Ellen has no one else to turn to and asks Oliver for help with her son. Still in love with her, Oliver decides to help. Can these two find their way back to one another?

I loved this reunion story!! So much going on with this story that it kept me reading late into the night just to finish it! This is another home run for Cullen!

Maybe 3.5 stars

Miss Ellen Hillgrave and Oliver McCaron, Viscount Fairview met and fell in love when they were both 17, they made plans to run off and marry, but in the end, Ellen married the man her parents betrothed her to, the much older Earl of Fieldhurst. Oliver was heartbroken and spent the next several years drinking and trying to forget Ellen, before settling into his responsibilities as Earl of Ambruster when his father died.

17 years pass before they meet again at a literary salon hosted by Ellen, who is now widowed and the mother of a 16 year old son, Philip. Oliver is at the salon at the behest of Sgt O’Leary of Scotland Yard to investigate a possible threat to the crown. Oliver is talking to the daughter of his target when Ellen approaches him. They speak for a few minutes when she is approached by Sir William Needham, the Royal Surgeon and her unofficial suitor. Later Oliver asks O’Leary about Sir William and learns his is respected and famous, Oliver tells himself it doesn’t matter who she is with, that he is over her, but deep down, he knows it isn’t true and he vows to stay away from her.

His plan is almost immediately shot when O’Leary sends him an urgent summons, once he gets to O’Leary’s office he is shocked to find out that Ellen’s son Philip is there and is rip-roaring drunk, O’Leary asks Oliver to take him home. Which he does and learns that this is not the first time Philip has been in trouble, he was recently kicked out of Eton and at her wits end, Ellen asks Oliver to speak to the headmaster. Oliver does and ends up agreeing to vouch for Philip and sets out to get the boy on the straight and narrow, which brings him in proximity of Ellen.

They both know the love they shared never died, but Ellen has a secret that she is sure will destroy her son’s life and refuses to consider reconciling with Oliver, not to mention she has a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to control Ellen and uses her secret to win her hand. And for his part, Oliver admits that she is the only woman he has ever and will ever love and refuses to give up. And so it begins…

I thought this could have been an outstanding story, but there were just things that bothered me, the first and most important being Ellen’s secret, I absolutely despise this trope and had a hard time getting past my dislike for her, especially when her reason for keeping the secret is so ridiculous and an incorrect. The second thing: this book has some very violent and graphic physical abuse scenes that may be upsetting to sensitive readers and there really should be a trigger warning in the blurb. Finally, I wasn’t thrilled with the way the villain was dealt with, his punishment was too mild considering what he had done. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone and if you have read the first book, you will love catching up with Jacob and O’Leary!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Oliver McCaron, the Earl of Armbruster has recently been working with Scotland Yard. He and another friend helped to capture killers. This time the investigation doesn't seem to be as dangerous or as interesting. Just find out information on a certain man. His problem is that it puts him in contact with the one woman he can never forget.
Widowed Lady Ellen Fieldhurst is settled in her life now. Her husband died a few years ago, her teen-age son has since been a little unruly. But hopefully that will change. The only slight thorn in her side is a perfectly respectable surgeon who has attached himself to her.
This story has a lot of surprises in store for our wonderful characters and us. There are murders happening in the EastEnd of London, unusual ones. There is a huge secret that could quite easily destroy several lives.
A fascinating Victorian historical romance with lots happening all the way through. I loved every page.

This book was such a bitter disappointment to me, that I had trouble believing that it was done by an author that I have read, and enjoyed, in the past. The sad thing is that it had a solid concept. I love a good reunited lovers story, and even if the "big secret" was a bit obvious (and overdone in these types of novels), but Ellen just killed it for me.

I could understand and even sympathize to an extent with the seventeen-year-old girl that she had been. I may even have been able to understand her reluctant willingness to marry Needham in order to protect her secret. But the fact that she allowed her son to be abused in front of her eyes? The mother in me cannot abide by such behavior, no matter how damning the secret.

While we are on the subject of her son. I found it hard to believe that he was supposed to be only sixteen years old the way he ran the streets by himself. Even being the "hellion" he was supposed to be, where was he at and what was he doing? Surely he wasn't cavorting with men in the clubs at his age? Unfortunately, its never really clarified. Nor is the fact that the secret is so obvious that Needham catches on with just one look, and yet no one else had figured it out? Not even Oliver? And what happened to the man Oliver had originally been sent to spy on? And that man's daughter? We get just one random line partway into the book that it had been determined that the man was no threat - what did he do so they could determine this? What became of his daughter and her friendship with Oliver's sister Josie?

Unfortunately, it was these plot holes, coupled with Ellen's behavior, that kept me from enjoying this book. However, keeping in mind that I have seen from other works what this author is capable of, 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.

This book absolutely, positively goes in my keeper file. A second chance romance that really puts this couple through heartbreaking emotional and physical pain.
They met at a ball, instantly fell in love, but kept their meetings secret from their families, Then everything fell apart. Seventeen years later Oliver, Earl of Armbruster, walks into Lady Fieldhurst's house for an evening of eccentric artists, actors and poets. Working with Detective O'Leary, he's looking for a Chartist, but then he sees Ellen, Lady Fieldhurst, the woman he's never stopped loving. She's now a widow and that gives him hope. But Ellen keeps turning him away, because she has a secret, a secret she will do whatever it takes to keep. There's another problem. In West End London people are missing and there's a murderer on the loose. Another great all nighter.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book by new to me author Sharon Cullen. Ellen and Oliver reunite after 17 years to find the spark is still there. Ellen must learn to trust him in order to find happiness again. I received an ARC through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an honest review.

Ellen and Oliver fell in love at seventeen. They thought they could run away and live their life together. But Ellen’s parental wanted an entree into society so she was betrothed to the Earl of Fieldcrest, a much older man. When Ellen and Oliver meet again, seventeen years later, she is a widow with a son. Ellen is known for her salon bringing together different kinds of people, not just society. Oliver is there working for the Crown as he sometimes does. Their meeting rekindles their attraction to each other but it is not an easy path. There are secrets, betrayals, and blackmail before all can be resolved. An enjoyable read.

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

I was quite surprise how fast I read this book. I keep my attention until the twist ending. I give it 3 stars because I wish it was longer and fulled in some spots. I'll have to keep an eye out for this author.

Oliver and Ellen's love story spans over 17 years. Those years were filled with confusion, deceit, and lost love.
Oliver and Ellen meet when they are 17 and fall madly in love. Ellen's parents decide to marry her off to another gentleman, someone they feel will boost the social status of their family. Fast forward 17 years and Ellen is a widow with a son in trouble. Oliver comes back into her life by coincidence, but the sparks are still there. But before they can live happily ever after, they have to over come abusive situations, fear, lies, and societies opinions. Can they over come all the obstacles or will their love remain a memory from the past?
Great story of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars - I always enjoy a Sharon Cullen historical romance. This one is no different. However, it gets 3.5 stars instead of 5 because the heroine was so spineless and weak willed. She was bullied by everyone who wanted to take a jab (sometimes literally) at her. She was also all ‘woe is me’ the entire story. It is true that she got herself into a mighty pickle, with no reputation saving way to get out of it. However, if she hadn’t been so weak-willed and instead stood up to her parents, the rest never would have happened.

The intrigue and subplot were good. They added great meat to the story. The hero was a standout from start to finish. The son, proved to be a nice round character as well. It’s worth the read, and had the heroine been less of a pitiful, helpless female, it would be one of those books I’d read again and again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oliver McCaron, Earl of Armbruster, fell in love at seventeen and planned to marry Ellen, but her parents had other plans for her and married her off to the elderly Earl of Fieldhurst. Their one shared night of passion has haunted Oliver for 17 years and he thought he had moved on, but when the widowed Ellen asks for his help with her wayward son, feelings long suppressed come roaring back for Oliver and he can't understand why Ellen won't be with him now.

I have mixed feelings about this story and I didn't really like Ellen all that much. If she had just trusted Oliver with the truth, a lot of heartache of everyone's part could have been avoided. She seemed weak and easily pushed around although what happened to her at the hands of her surgeon friend was horrible. Oliver was a kind and considerate hero and I did like him being willing to help Ellen even though she pushed him away at every turn. This was not one of my favorite stories by this author and through a lot of ups and downs they get their happily ever after.

I'm having a hard tie trying to decide what to rate this novel. And I don't feel like it's a straight-up romance.
A lot of the book deals with an unruly teenage son, and Oliver trying to help him. The possessive surgeon who wants to marry her. Her constantly denying that she wants to be with Oliver.
There is a happy ending.
We see at the beginning the Oliver and Ellen, at seventeen, declaring their love for one another and then the story jumps to 17 years later. She married someone else, had a child, recently widowed and he is still single. She turns to him when her teenage son gets into some trouble and he sets out to help the young earl understand what it takes to run his earldom.

Ugh, this heroine drove me crazy! I could understand her reasons for her secret but when it starts to affect her safety, why couldn't she have been stronger.?

This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing through Netgalley.

This is a rarity, but I can honestly say I have never had such animosity towards a heroine in all my time reading romance novels.
Widow Lady Fieldhurst took the cake and not in a good way. Ellen started the book out as a seventeen-year-old nitwit and actually digressed with age. I continually asked myself what in the world the Earl of Armbruster saw in her. I wound up just as disappointed in him for falling for such a cowardlly, whiny yet 'set in her nonsensical ways' woman. I mean to be such a pushover with her son and spoiling him to the point of him becoming a nightmare of a teenager, and then to tolerate him being abused in order to keep a secret, is utter insanity. As much as I wished Oliver would have decided to move on, maybe in some odd way they deserved each other. Clearly neither matured in 17 years.
I typically enjoy stories by this author but this one was a definite miss for me.