Ben and Dorothea's story by Lynne Connolly, The Making of a Marquess is the first novel I've read by this author and it is enticingly detailed, just like I like. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a great romance.

Veena’s review of The Making of a Marquess (Society Of Single Ladies, Book 2) by Lynne Connolly
Historical Romance published by Lyrical Press 31 Mar 20

In an age when a woman’s worth is judged by being a wife and a mother, Dorothea has re-invented herself into an investigator and has a strong group of like-minded friends. Confronted by the man from her past at a house party definitely changes things up for her, especially since the chemistry between them is stronger than ever.

Sailing to the Americas after an aborted duel is the making of a young and arrogant Benedict. He’s not even sure that he wants the title when he returns to his ancestral seat, but Dorothea, her brother, and Benedict’s best friend are all in attendance at a house party and can identify him as the heir. Things get complicated quickly, especially since there is a special envoy from the King in residence and a cousin who will apparently do all he can to hang on to the title and wealth.

Someone is definitely not happy with Benedict’s return. Once Benedict’s identity is confirmed, accidents and scandals get in the way of Benedict inheriting his title and estate. Dorothea, both in her role as investigator and as the woman whom Benedict compromises, sees her sham engagement turn into a real marriage against a backdrop of suspense and danger. Will they survive that danger that surrounds them and actually find love?

Ms. Connolly does a masterful job with these characters, making them real people who stretch and grow and face life and a second chance at love with flair. The suspense keeps the story edgy and exciting.

Grade: B

This was an engrossing, fast paced story that will appeal to many readers. I loved the characters and their adventures.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

***Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books!***

This book was a fun ride and Dorothea was a delightful leading lady. Ben was an interesting bloke too but he was often times too serious and seemed to be blind to obvious things. Dorothea was sharp and didn’t miss a beat in contrast. I liked the fact that Dorothea being present when her former betrothed comes home is incidental. She was there on behalf of his cousin’s banker who wanted her to find out if he was good for the loans that had been given to him or not. The fact that Ben showed up was entirely unexpected and naturally throws her emotions through a loop.

I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded the pair, but honestly it felt like it took a long time to get going. I enjoyed all the slow burning romance that we had in the meantime, because Dorothea and Ben are fabulous together, but it seemed like we went from one incident that could have been an accident to murder all of a sudden. And there was not too much that happened in between. I did fall for the red herring though. I admit it, I did not suss out who was the real culprit.

The only drawback to the book was that I have no idea what the connection was to the Society for Single Ladies. I mean, that sounds fantastic. A group of society women who use their status as single women to investigate mysteries. And Dorothea was on assignment for the SSL. But all of that got sidetracked by an attack and romance. So, in the end, it didn’t seem to have much connection at all. I was rather looking forward to that part and it was more of an afterthought by the end. I might pick up the first book though and see if that quenches my desire for single society ladies solving crimes.

Overall this was a great romance and a decent mystery, but I wished for a bit more.

Dorothea Rowland attends a country house party to investigate a long-lost heir—not to find a husband. But when the dashing American claimant discovers her prowling for clues, she is startled—and then seduced—by his provocative kiss. It’s all Dorothea can do to remember her mission. Especially when a series of accidents adds up to something far more dangerous…Benedict only meant to silence lovely Dorothea—not find himself enamored. What’s a gentleman to do but join forces—and propose to the clever beauty? Yet as Ben and Dorothea pursue the truth about his inheritance, their faux betrothal threatens to become the real thing. Soon Ben’s plan to return to his life in America is upended—not only by his deepening bond with his bride, but by someone who wants his fortune badly enough to jeopardize his future—even end it. And Dorothea can’t let that happen. Not for the title, but for Ben…
I hadn’t read this author in a long time and hadn’t really cared for the last book I read, so I decided to try this author again to see how I felt. The overall book was ok. I hadn’t read the first book in the series so I was already a little at loss. Also, second-chance romances really are iffy on me and this was no exception. Not really sure if I’m going to try her again though.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I really did not like this book. I just couldnt get into it. I tried a number of times, but it really was not for me. Part of the problem was that I didn't enough infor about The Society for Single Ladies. I think that must be covered in earlier books but I would have liked if it had some more info here.

I know this author is a stickler for historical accuracy. So I was expecting this to be on the nose for the time period. The biggest thing I noticed that was not historically accurate was that the heroine jumpped into bed with the hero so quickly. Before marriage. She also used words like "underwear" which werent words during the time period.

Anyway. I grew bored and didn't get past 44%. I did not post this review on goodreads because I didn't finish it.

This was an entertaining book but a bit confusing. It centers around Ben returning from America where he has been for 7 years, to claim his rightful place as the Marquess of Belstead. His cousin Louis has been acting as the Marquess for the last 7 years while Ben was missing. When Ben shows up many people recognize him for the true Marquess, but a lot of the book centers around the fact that being recognized, even by the King, is not enough evidence. This was very convoluted. The romance aspect seemed way to quick for me.
Thank you for the ARC. This was my honest review.

In an age when a woman's worth is judged by being a wife and a mother, Dorothea has re-invented herself into an investigator and has a strong group of like minded friends.  Confronted by the man from her past at a house party definitely changes things up for her especially since the chemistry between them is stronger than ever. Sailing to the Americas after an aborted duel is the making of a young and arrogant Benedict. He's not even sure that he wants the title when he returns to his ancestral seat but Dorothea, her brother and Benedict's best friend are all in attendance at a house party and can identify him as the heir. Things get complicated quickly especially since there is a special envoy from the King in residence and a cousin who will apparently do all he can to hang on to the title and wealth.Someone is definitely not happy with Benedict's return.  Once Benedict's identity is confirmed accidents and scandals get in the way of Benedict inheriting his title and estate. Dorothea both in her role as investigator and as the woman whom Benedict compromises sees her sham engagement turn into a real marriage against a backdrop of suspense and danger.  Will they survive the danger that surrounds them and actually find love?Ms. Connolly does a masterful job with these characters making them real people who stretch and grow and face life and a second chance at love with flair.  The suspense keeps the story edgy and exciting.

The Making of a Marquess is the second book in Connolly’s series. I love Connolly’s historicals because she writes such lush and well-researched books. That is a huge deal for me. This book is no different. As the series is about solving mysteries, there is a big one here. But before we get to that aspect of the story…
My first thought with regard to Ben was that he was a fool. Young, hot-headed, and more foolish than most. Hence the title, in my opinion, for he truly was a useless peer until his flight to Boston. At least when he gets back, he is significantly less foolish and realizes what a gem he had in Dorothea. Once he returned though, he appeared to be strong, decisive, and controlled. I liked the evolution even though we don’t get to see it happen on the page. In a way, I am glad for that. That was not his arc. His arc was in understanding what he had thrown away and choosing to try again.

For Dorothea‘s part, I liked her instantly and that never changed. Cool, calm, level-headed, practical, and never out of love, she was a prize when she was younger and an even bigger prize now in her maturity. I loved seeing others recognize her strength and respond so positively to it. (Echoes here of Rose (Richard and Rose series), in my opinion.) I loved this underutilized character type in historicals and hearken back to the Daring Dersinghams as well. Connolly is drawing readers to a greater sense of real people in this time and I find it absolutely wonderful.

As for Louis, Honoria, and William, I found them near cookie cutter sadly. In stark contrast to Ben and Dorothea, they come across as never having grown up, consistently selfish, and intolerably entitled. They are, of course, the principal choices of villain since this is a mystery. Precisely who is revealed after much heartache. Sadly, I had figured it out well in advance.

As the plot hummed along, the tension between Ben and Louis gets stretched tightly. After all, he must prove he is himself to prevent his cousin from taking the title. And, as accidents keep happening, it is clear that someone wants to prevent that at all cost. I think the tension wasn’t so great for me since I had it figured out in advance of the reveal, but if I hadn’t, it would have been quite suspenseful. What with one thing after another thwarting in his quest to save the marquessate from utter ruin.

I quite enjoyed the house party, single location, element of the plot as well. It felt a little like an Agatha Christie in that regard. It’s an excellent choice for adding tension. I also liked seeing Angela Childers swoop in and keep holding out for a story for her, regardless of how it all comes out.

I know that the next book in the Daring Dersinghams book is coming next, but I am definitely eager to see where this series will go next and who will get their book. This is such a strong female-centric series and it is quite delightful.

Second chance romance combined with an interesting dilemma

Requisite amounts of the dramatics for a good read. A high society lady detective Dorothea Rowland is investigating on behalf of Childers Bank the security of existing loans made to Louis Thorpe in order to increase his loan debt. Dorothea had been on the brink of having marriage settlements drawn up with Ben, until he fell under the spell of Lady Honoria Holt. Is Ben the friend she once knew, or an imposter.? The heir Benedict Thorpe, Lord Brocklebank, the Marquess of Belstead, is seeking the truth about his inheritance before returning to America. Due to the law surrounding duals he'd been secretly hustled out of the country after a dual over implied slurs to his fiancé Lady Honoria by his cousin Louis, whom he thought he'd fatally injured. All presumed he was dead. Now the time of seven years is nearly up and his cousin Louis who'd survived, is set to have Ben declared legally dead and step into His shoes. Ben's sudden returned to England has left his cousin Louis and his wife Honoria's noses out of joint, especially as they'd been living off the estate's expectations for years.
Ben joins a house party, ironically at his country seat, Cressbrook House, where the officer from the Crown Office, Sir James Hunstone, will make a decision regarding the legitimacy of Ben's claim.
Previously he and Dorothea had been courting until Ben had fallen for Honoria. Now they need to work together to find out the truth surrounding the past events. In that process they find themselves being drawn to each other.
As it turns out their investigations become dangerous and fatal.
I thought I'd picked the culprit who engineered the whole situation early on but wasn't absolutely sure until the end.
Dorothea is interesting woman who finds love where it was once lost.
An enjoyable dip into the world of inheritance and titles, allied with an enlivening mystery and romance during the Georgian period of 1750.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley

Crestbrook House
"No more the discarded spinster, Dorothea now had a a purpose in life. She was a member of the Society of Single Ladies, and she was here on a mission. Her first assignment for the SSL was a personal connection." Yes I was intrigued and found out she had started a courtship with Ben, Lord Brocklebank(love that name!), although her father had wanted him to let her grow up a little. She was smitten with the tall handsome elegant gentleman. Then Lady Honoria Colt had come into society and any chance at Ben had been lost to her. Then a duel with his cousin Louis over the Lady and Ben had just disappeared.
Now with his cousin trying to declare Ben dead so he would inherit the title, Dorothea would work with a man of the Crown to try to prove Louis killed Ben and have him put in jail. But as Louis was making an announcement about making his bow to court soon as the Marquess and his wife Honoria Marchioness were declared, there came a voice from the doorway, "I believe the saying is over my dead body." Thus Ben reappeared!
This had the feeling of a game of Clue and I loved it! The different characters, each with their own secrets and wishes and a villain in the midst beside the despicable Louis. Ben and Dorothea become reacquainted and they take a slow journey to romance and a happy ever after. Don't miss this second book in this series!

The Making of a Marquess by Lynne Connolly is book Two in The Society for Single Ladies Series. This is the story of Dorothea Rowland and Benedict 'Ben' Thorpe, Lord Brocklebank. I have read the previous book but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Several years ago Dorothea and Ben's family where setting them up to marry with marriage contracts. Ben just wanting to please his father was going forward with it until he saw Honoria Colt and wanted her. But his cousin Louis Thorpe also wanted her which lead to them to duel which Ben thought he hurt his cousin so he left England. Now all these years later he is talked into returning to England to claim his title by his friend. But his cousin wants that title and claims that Ben is a imposter. Dorothea is a spinster after Ben has broken the engagement talks. Dorothea who is now a mature 30 year old, who has become a part of 'The Society for Single Ladies'. This group of ladies go around solving mysteries. Dorothea has been given the case to find the Title holder of the Marquess of Belstead...aka Ben. Of course when Ben returns she knows who she is but they have to come together to prove who he is and to fight off the person wanting him dead. Enjoyed their story.

Benedict Thorpe hadn’t planned on ever returning to England after leaving under a cloud seven years ago. Learning he’s about to be declared dead and the marquessate is about to devolve to his wastrel cousin, though, he reluctantly decides to return - only to have his identity questioned and his life threatened as his cousin valiantly attempts to oust him. A shocking death raises the stakes dramatically and throws everything into question - everything but his admiration for Lady Dorothea Rowland, a lady investigator determined to get to the bottom of the whole mess on behalf of her banker employer.

The mystery at the heart of this story had some intriguing twists and turns, although the villain of the story was logically obvious from early on as the only person with both motive, means and opportunity. For two smart people, Ben and Dorothea were a bit too willing to accept certain characters at face value, something I don’t think I’d be doing if a family member had been murdered and attempts made on my life. On the other hand, they were perhaps somewhat distracted by falling in lust.

The more I thought about it, the more irritated I felt about Ben having just abdicated his responsibility for years on end, especially with his mother ill. I couldn’t see any real reason which justified it; yes, sailing from America to England and back was quite the production in those days, but he literally owned a shopping company, and he knew from correspondence with the one trusted friend who knew he was alive that his cousin wasn’t doing right by the estate. Having failed in his responsibility thus far, I really didn’t get why he didn’t just continue to get on with the very nice life he’d made for himself and wash his hands of the title he didn’t want or use anyway.

The romance in this was excellent, and I really bought into Ben and Dorothea as a compatible couple (though once again he irritated me with his plans to push off back to Boston and leave her in charge). Dorothea is so delightful as a single lady who has embraced her status of being firmly on the shelf and found something productive to do with her life, so much so that she turns down Ben’s first proposal in a marvellous scene where she tells him she’s waited this long, she’s not settling for anything less than love.

Lynne Connolly is one of the best historical romance authors out there in terms of making her work feel genuinely authentic to the period; her research and knowledge really shines through and there’s no moment in this where it feels at all anachronistic. For that alone, I really want to give this five stars, but my continuing annoyance with the hero mean I just can’t quite bring myself to do it. Four stars, but it’s a very good read.

It started with a duel with his cousin over a young lady. Ben Thorpe fled from the duel. Injured he leaves England on a ship to America. Almost seven years later he must return to claim his title or lose to his cousin Louis. The one obstacle is he needs proof of his identify. Dorothea Rowland was to have been betrothed to Ben, but he broke the contract. She still loves him even though she's built another life. Now he's returned and some one wants him dead. A well written who done it with a passionate love story. Enjoyed reading this one. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

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

The Making Of A Marquess, by Lynne Connolly, is available at booksellers 3-31-20. Making is book 2 in Ms Connolly's The Society Of Single Ladies series. The premise of the SSL is crime solving. Many things happen in the world of the ton and rich cits. Who better to look and listen than spinsters. They're of quality, know many people, and are invited many places. They are ignored, become background, and this is to their crime solving benefit. Ms Connolly had me looking up a lot of words, what was it, did I have it right? She kept me on my toes & I enjoyed it. Making is a romance/mystery/thriller. Sounds complicated but trust me, it worked.

Our SSL member is Dorothea Rowland, spinster and resigned to being one always. The SSL has given her a purpose and makes being unmarried bearable. She's like many ladies I've known, Prince Charming forgot to stop by. She's witty and brave. I liked her from the start. The hero, Benedict Thorpe was another story. Lord Brockbank had to grow on me. He was the usual annoying fop, certain he's handsome beyond measure and charming enough to get away with anything. He was awful to Dorothea during her season, the cad. In the story he's grown and made something of himself without his title. He's worried he won't be able to prove his identity, that his tenants will suffer, worried about the estate at last. He won me over when he took such care with his mother. He had substance after all.

#LynneConnolly #netgalley #TheMakingOfAMarquess #TheSocietyOfSingleLadies #KensingtonBooks #romance #Mystery #Thriller

This was a well-written, entertaining book. Dorothea belongs to a crime-solving club and encounters Ben in the process of an investigation. Love, intrigue, suspense and humor follow. I enjoyed this book and would read more books by this author.

4.25 Stars
Yet even Miss Angela Childers’ charming detectives are not immune to the forces of love . . .
Dorothea Rowland is nearing thirty & has given up on love but attends a country house party to investigate a long-lost heir not to find a husband. Benedict returns after nearly seven years abroad after he fled fearing he’d killed his cousin Louis in a duel but Louis survived & is now pressing to have Benedict declared dead. Yet as Ben and Dorothea pursue the truth about his inheritance, their relationship develops from friends to lovers. Soon Ben’s plan to return to his life in America is upended by someone who wants his fortune badly enough to jeopardize his future.
This is the second book in the series & could easily be read on its own. The author’s books are always well written, they have a lovely attention to detail & I love the mix of fact & fiction. The story flows extremely well, the mystery has a few twists and turns which I enjoyed but it is the relationship between Ben & Dorothea which is enthralling. She’s always loved him but he was blinded by the beauty of another when they were younger, however he’s grown up & I loved how he came to like, value, respect & love Dorothea. A lovely read that at times had me on the edge of my seat
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This review is brought to you by Sleep Deprivation™. I apologize in advance.

The premise of this book sounded so up my alley. A society for single ladies! That solve crimes! Sign me the FRICK up. Unfortunately, there is very little explained of exactly what the Society for Single Ladies is or what they do or how it works. I haven't read book 1, so I can't speak to if it is all explained therein, but I would think that there would be something written about it in each book, especially since romance novels are usually written so you can pick up any book in a series and be able to follow along.

I wish that was the only problem this book had. The family dynamics were very hard to follow. I spent a lot of the book confused on how exactly everyone is related to one another and how succession works. The book opens with a duel between Ben and Louis, who are cousins. They have both been seeing the same lady and they are dueling over who gets to keep her. Ben doesn't mean to hit Louis, but is distracted by a bird at the last second and shoots Louis over his heart. Frantic that he has just killed his cousin, he takes the first ship bound out of London. He spends the next 7 years working in Boston, becoming a very wealthy businessman.

Meanwhile, Louis doesn't die. Ben is relieved and sends word that Louis is to be given power of attorney over Ben's estate while he is gone. Ben is the heir to a marquess, and will someday inherit some land and whatever else nobleman generally inherit. Money, presumably.

Anyway, 7 years later, Ben gets a letter from his best friend Hal, who tells him that Louis is ruining his estate and spending a ton of money. He is trying to take out a mortgage on the entailed lands, but he can't do that while Ben is alive. Louis is therefore trying to have Ben declared dead since no one (supposedly) has heard from him for almost 7 years. Ben was shot in the duel as well, so Louis tries to spin it so that Ben died from the gunshot wound after he fled to Boston.

Ben has a moment of crisis - he hasn't lived in England for a long time, he doesn't want to be a marquess anyway (his father has died in the meantime). Should he just let Louis take the marquessate and stay in Boston?

This is where I got very, very confused. Louis is Ben's cousin, and Ben has given him power of attorney. That is the exact phrase used in the beginning of the book - "power of attorney." That...doesn't make Louis his heir, right? Way later in the book the author specifies that Louis is Ben's heir, but the early chapters only name him as having POA. I spent a lot of time trying to puzzle out why Louis would have Ben declared dead since his reign of POA would end when the new marquess was named. I also spent a lot of time thinking that William was Ben's brother that went off to war. Like, then the estate would go to the younger brother, right? Ben about 3/4 of the way through the book, it is made clear that William is Louis's brother, not Ben's. I could have sworn that the beginning of the book said William was Ben's brother. I went back and checked the first chapter, and I think I found where I got confused. The line read "Watching Louis divest himself of his blue riding coat and hand it to his younger brother, William" which I guess my brain latched onto, even though it mentions Ben's childhood with "his two cousins." That was my bad, but it really made me question everything I knew about primogeniture.

Eventually, my brain got in gear and parsed out who is related to who and how the succession was set up. About halfway through the book it is mentioned that Louis was already Ben's successor, but Ben sent word that Louis should have POA as well. I wish that was made clearer earlier in the book.

Ben goes back to England to claim his heritage so that the tenants don't have to suffer under Louis's mismanagement anymore, and he gatecrashes a party that Louis is throwing in honor of himself being named as the new marquess. There is an official from the crown in attendance, Sir James, who immediately launches an investigation to make sure Ben is who he claims to be. Also in attendance at this party, secretly representing the interests of the Society for Single Ladies, is Dorothea, who almost was engaged to Ben before he went gaga over Honoria (whose name in my mind rhymes with gonorrhea). Dorothea was in lurve with Ben before he dropped her like last week's trash, and she still lurves him now. But! She is determined not to fall under his spell, because she is a confirmed spinster at ~le gasp~ 30 years old.

Ben is surprised to see everyone, he's changed so much and matured a lot. He finds that Honoria is a shallow person and Dorothea was the better of the two. Ben and Dorothea have some hanky panky pretty early on, but Ben is determined to never fall in love again because it's all a scam. Better to find someone sensible who will bear your children and run your estate while you are elsewhere. Dorothea is determined not to fall in love again because she's too old and washed up.

That lasted for like 50 pages. Literally, there was a chapter with Dorothea adamant that she would not fall in love, and then the very next chapter they have sex and she tells Ben she loves him. Like, what? Girl, make up your mind.

I didn't really mind their romance, even if it was a bit rushed. Both main characters were written as very practical people, and they saw an opportunity to be together and took it.

I had a problem with the mystery elements of this book, though. There's an attempted murder, there's multiple attempts to invalidate Ben as the marquess, including some very hand-wavy legal stuff that felt pretty forced. The twist of "whodunit" at the end was very awkward and I felt like it could have been seeded better in the narrative. Looking back, there was next to no indication that there was a twist here, which is a sign of lazy mystery-writing in my opinion. I should be simultaneously shocked at the twist but also able to look back and see where I missed the clues. There were no clues here, just an "aha GOTCHA" moment at the end that felt cheap.

I think there was the bones of a good book here. The premise was good, the mystery element was interesting, the main characters were well-drawn. It was the execution that let the book down.

Received free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a member of the Society of Single Ladies, a crime solving club headed by Angela Childers, Dorothea Rowland is thrilled to be assigned a case. She is currently at a house party at Cressbrook House, being given by Louis Thorpe. Louis is planning on having Benedict Thorpe, Lord Brocklebank declared dead and have himself declared the successor to the title of Marquess of Belstead. Ben disappeared after he and Louis dueled over Lady Honoria. Thinking he had mortally wounded Louis, Ben fled to the colonies and hasn’t been heard from in years.

Dorothea is sadden to learn that Ben is to be declared dead, once upon a time, Ben and Dorothea’s families had proposed a match and Ben was happy to oblige, until he met and fell in love with Honoria. Dorothea had loved Ben, but she was gracious when he proposed to Honoria without even telling her and she was heartbroken when he fought the duel and disappeared. So she is shocked and is not sure how to feel now that he has returned from the dead.

Ben is not the same man Dorothea loved, he has matured and has become a successful business man in the years he had been away. He would have been content to let Louis inherit, but his friend Hal, who has been the only person he stayed in touch with has told him of the decline in the estate and the debts Louis has amassed, draining the estate and endangering the livelihoods of his tenants. Despite his desire to stay in the colonies, duty to the title has been ingrained deeply in Ben and he couldn’t let the estate suffer. When he returns Louis tries to claim he is an imposter and that the title belongs to Louis. Ben turns to Dorothea for help proving he is in fact who he claims to be.

Dorothea agrees to help him and they both begin to develop stronger feelings and Ben decides that Dorothea would make a perfect partner for him, but it is soon clear that someone doesn’t want Ben to inherit and they are willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that he doesn’t!

This was a good story, albeit wordy and stuffed with random facts that did nothing to move the story along. I enjoyed the relationship between Dorothea and Ben, it was not “instalust” and developed in a believable fashion, the mystery was decent and not immediately obvious (but the villain didn’t really come as a surprise), the love scenes were on the warmer side and the epilogue is very heartwarming. As I mentioned, I did find the book a bit wordy, it also dragged a bit and then the ending was rushed and anticlimactic. I didn’t love the book, but I didn’t hate it either – it was an “OK” read and I will definitely continue with the series.

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

Benedict Thorpe was meant to be a marquess but after fighting a duel with his cousin, Louis, over woman, left both men injured and Ben living in the wilds of America. After seven years, Ben returns to England to claim his title and estate, only to find his cousin, foolishly spend the estate’s assets. He also discovers that Dorothea Rowland, the woman his family meant him to marry, is part of a detective agency, investigating his cousin’s request for finances. Dorothea also finds herself falling in love with Ben, all over again. When he shows interest in her, it is all that she can do to hold back any feelings for him.
Both characters were enjoyable, with Ben showing how his life experiences have changed him and Dorothea, for becoming a strong woman, with greater substances that those who might have been outwardly beautiful. Their growing admiration for the other and the development of their feelings, played out sweetly in this story. Combined with the mystery of who was threatening Ben’s life, this was an engaging read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.