WOW what a Fantastic Story! Fennella and Lachlan are believable and so realistic with such depth and individuality it's easy to relate to. Deception and Desire is the first in the series A MacNaughton Castle Romance and I can't wait to read the next one. Aubrey Wynne has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, with passion, strong emotions that will bring a smile or a few tears, family unity, deception and great dialogue. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life which brings this read together perfectly.

This was such a charming book. Loved castle setting and this one was lush. Entertaining and well written.

Just how bad is it to be too tall; especially is you are a woman of London Society? Fenella Franklin knew only too well. Yes, she has a large dowry, but she is not from a long line of noblemen. At her come out she was the object of a cruel wager and it almost broke her. After her father discovered the wager, he allowed her to go to Scotland and stay with her grandmother. What a difference that made in her life as her Grandmother helped her overcome her disappointment. Lachlan MacNaughton is not happy with being second in his grandfather’s clan and goes to their Glasgow Mill to help the family. These are wonderful characters as they discover each other and how to make their lives work together and for the Glasgow Mill. I enjoyed this very much and I cannot wait for the next MacNaughton Castle romance

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Set in Glasgow during the Regency Era, Deception and Desire sees our heroes, Fenella and Lachlan meet at the MacNaughton's textile mill, and fall in love. Fenella has never fit in in London society. She's too tall, too clever, and not blue-blooded enough. Her father might have a title, granted by the Regent, no less, but to the haute society, she's an outsider. With her mother pushing her at penniless, titled men whenever she can, she wants out, and visiting her grandmother in Glasgow was the perfect choice. However, she's bored, and when the advert for an accountant at the local mill is posted, she goes for the job, and gets it. The only problem is, she needs to hide her status, and forget about the fact that one of the owners kissed her outside before the interview. Lachlan knows his grandfather wants him to inherit as clan chief when the time comes, and stay in the highlands, but he wants to be busy in Glasgow, to let younger brother Ian spend time with his wife. Meeting Fenella was perfect, and he can't stay away, but won't do anything to jeopardise her job because the whole factory needs her.

This was a quick enough read, but all in all, I was a little disappointed. There's not much by way of a plot, except the discovery of theft by the previous accountant, and the inclusion of a mention of the Peterloo massacre. The romance is good enough, and I felt like Fenella and Lachlan were suited to each other, but I still just wanted something a little more from it all.

Thanks to Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I adore stories about bluestockings and misfits and this new book, the first in the McNaughton Castle series does not disappoint. Fenella, already feeling out of place in London during her first season, is the victim of a cruel joke which sparks her hatred of the aristocracy despite her mother's desire for one of her daughters to marry into it. Fleeing London she ends up with her Scottish relatives in Glasgow and uses her significant intellect to become a bookkeeper for the McNaughton family. She finds herself very drawn to Lachlan McNaughton who does not insult her height or her intelligence - in fact he seems to find her very attractive, even though he doesn't know the truth of who she is. As they grow closer it's obvious that, although Fenella wants to pursue her passion for Lachlan, there may be a few obstacles in the way. This is sensitively written and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series,

I enjoyed this story about a young misfit finding her passion (both work and love) in Glasgow. I liked all the characters, the story was engaging and, being in the rag trade myself, I was fascinated with the scenes that happened in the family weaving mill. This is my first book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more!

I fell in love with this book and the characters in the first couple chapters. Fenella Franklin and Lachlan MacNaughton were so likeable and down to earth. They weren’t interested in each other because of their families status, they were interested in each other from the first time they met, by accident on a rain slicked road. Who wouldn’t want to tumble into the arms of a brawny Scotsman? The spark between the two of them was combustible. But they took it slow and did the right thing be getting to know each other and courting. Fenella’s grandmother was a hoot. I loved her character and personality. Of course there were a few bumps along the way, but that made their relationship more real. I am so looking forward to the next book and wondering who it could be about and how they will get to their HEA. Very well done.

This story is about two rebellious souls finding love. Fenella Franklin and Lachlan MacNaugton both feel like misfits in their respective societies. As both decide to take a step back from their duties and role, Fenella meets Lachlan under the guise of a bookkeeper of his family’s textile mill. As they spend more time together, their feelings grow but they both need to come clean about who they really are.


I really liked the premise of the book and thought the first half of the book was interesting and engaging. However halfway through, I liked only the interactions and events but not the story as a whole. The whole plot was missing and I did not feel her deception was strong enough to create any real misunderstanding or strife between the couple. While the dialogues and the interactions were fun to read, there was not any depth to the storytelling.

It was an unexpected meeting.. wait no more like a collision in the rain! Lachlan grabbed her before she could hit the ground. "Her alabaster skin gave her the appearance of a fine Greek sculpture.. clear gray eyes blinked owlishly at him.. Mesmerizing. A wet angel, he thought. A single droplet of moisture clung to the corner of her mouth.. He dipped his head and brushed his lips against her velvet ones..."
The Fenella hurried into the factory. "My first kiss. In the rain. With a stranger.. She smiled as her fingers traced her lips."
Oh yes, that got my attention and I could not wait to see what would happen! After a series of events, Fenella was in Scotland visiting.. oh wait, more like banished, to her Grandmother's, but she wanted to do something to occupy her time. So she applied for a job as a bookkeeper at the mill.
Lachlan was visiting his brother in Scotland who ran the family business, and was going to stay and run it for a bit while his brother went back home.
A delightful tale filled with a handsome Scot and a determined lass that brought many smiles to my heart and I could only sigh as I turned the last page!

This book brought me to tears. Won't tell you why, but you'll get there. It's a lovely story about a young woman whose confidence has been shattered by some upstarts in London. She goes to visit her grandma in Scotland and finds her place in the world. I truly loved the relationship between Fenella and Lachlan. They had instantaneous attraction, but unlike other romance stories, they didn't fall in bed after one meeting! The entire McNaughton Clan is quite interesting and I find myself wanting to know more about them all. Enjoy.

A woman with Courage

After enduring ridicule, Fenella wanted nothing to do with the ton and its wagers. When she went off to visit her grandmother in Scotland, she had no idea that she would find love. After all, the people of the ton made her feel unattractive and unlovable.

Applying for the position of a bookkeeper, Fenella finds herself kissed in the rain, and that’s where it all began. Lachlan and Fenella find themselves falling in love, but Fenella has some confessions to make. Will her innocent deceptions end a promising relationship, or will theirs be enduring love? If you like historical romance, you might enjoy this tale. This story is loosely tied to Aubrey Wynne’s Rhapsody in Rebellion.

Fenella Franklin is taller than most young ladies of the Ton and subject to their ridicule, and even a cruel wager. When she takes matters into her own hands, her social-climbing mother explodes in anger. Fenella escapes to Scotland to stay with her grandmother. When she sees an advertisement in the newspaper for an accountant, she applies in person. She’s always had a talent for numbers and after a bit of persuasion, she lands the job at the mill. From the moment she sets eyes on handsome Lachlan, one of the men who manage the mill, fire sizzles in her veins. She’s unsure why he lavishes his attention on her but for the first time in her life, she feels beautiful and feminine. When a small omission turns into a huge blow-up, Fenella’s heart shatters. Can she beg for Lachlan’s forgiveness or has she lost her only chance at true love?

Deception and Desire is the latest release by Aubrey Wynne and there are so many great elements in it including a sweeping romance between an intelligent English heroine and a brash Scottish man, historically accurate events serving as a catalyst to the plot, a social-climbing mother, a kind-hearted father, humorous dialogue and so much more. The characters leap from the pages and come alive. I connected with shy Fenella right away and my heart leaped in my throat several times. Mrs. Douglas is a wonderfully portrayed Scottish grandmother. The MacNaughton men are larger than life and their voices swirled around me as they talked. From beginning to end, Deception and Desire is a heart-wrenching read about striking out on your own and not giving in to familial expectations. If you’re a fan of Scottish Regency, this is a must-read. I can’t recommend this book enough!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5+ stars

This was great! I truly enjoyed every page. This was a new author for me and I was excited as the pages continued. Love the build up and the balance of main and side characters. The story advanced well and just a little bit of steam to help glue me to these pages. I hope there will be a series and I look forward to reading more from this author.

1.5 This was sort of a meh book. There wasn't a lot going on plot wise. The deception of the title was really rather silly and not worth the importance that was given to it in terms of the conflict. Overall it felt like a bunch of tropes thrown together without any real plotting as far as what made sense. The main characters were a bit all over the place in terms of characterization. I did make it through, so there was some redeeming qualities - mostly the grandmother and individual scenes. On the whole though, those scenes never came together into one coherent whole.

Deception and Desire is a great romance of two young people finding themselves and their place in their world. Fenella self describes as not being the petite English beauty, well she is half Scot. Lachlan does not have the confidence to be his clan’s leader. Both grow tremendously during this romance.

Lachlan has a bit of a temper and it shows when he becomes upset with Fenella. Yet, he also learns from his temper and from those around him who hold him accountable. He has family that help him understand himself and how important he is to his clan.

I loved the relationship between Fenella and her father and that which she had with her maternal grandmother. Even her father and her grandmother had a special reationship that helped Fenella to grown and understand herself, especially when up against her mother.

I was completely shocked and taken aback with Ian – not expecting that at all! Aubrey Wynne weaves a charming book that you will thoroughly enjoy!

Fennel Franklin became a laughingstock during her debut season in London. She has retreated into her home and rarely goes about in society. She’s convinced her father to let her visit her grandmother in Scotland. Once in Scotland she becomes a bookkeeper where she meets Lachlan MacNaughton. Lachlan is the next in line to be the clan chieftain, but he feels his brothers are better suited to the Laird. Fennel and Lachlan are immediately attracted to each other. For the first time Fennel is confident, she stands tall and look Lachlan in the eye, tells him what she thinks, and she sometimes gets sassy. I loved the captivating story of young woman learning who she is and falling love, but there’s a secret she’s kept from him. Will their new love survive when she confesses her secret, will he fight for her or break her heart? I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

Fenella Franklin hates being put on display. Everyone stares at her and talks about her. She is taller than most of the men, the women make fun of her and her fAther is a business man with no title. When a man finally pays attention to Fenella she is so flattered and excited that a man has finally taken an interest in her for who she is, until she finds out it was only a bet between the men of the ton. Fenella is devastated and takes time away to visit her grandmother in Scotland where she meets a very handsome Scot! Although Fenella knows nothing can become of it as her mother would ever let her marry a Scotsman!

Lachlan MacNaughton is destined to become the next clan Chief and hates the thought of it. Preferring to work for the family business instead. Lachlan has been trying to convince his grandfather that his brother would be the better Chief. And then a beautiful woman falls into his life. As Fenella and Lachlan become close there are lots of obstacles in there way, not to mention that Fenella has some secrets she has omitted.

I really enjoyed reading this story! This was my first book by this author and I can say it won’t be my last! Loved the characters and the story, definitely recommend this one!

DNF @ 47 %.

From the beginning, this book didn't suit me at all. Like one reader on Goodreads said, there is no plot. None. At least I haven't found it. 

The book starts with Fenella in her season. Balls, gowns, gossip. She hates it all especially after one scandalous bet that left her humiliated.

When she arrived in Scotland, she decided to work. She's good with numbers so she quickly becomes a secretary at the hero's family mill. Now, this is where it gets interesting.

First, when the MCs meet it is on the sidewalk, it's raining, one says hey, the other sort of grunts and the hero just kisses her. Because he found a drop on the corner of her lips fascinating. Just like that. After a brief kiss they each go their way.

In other historical romances I've read the meet-cute is always described in details for basically one whole chapter (okay not really, but you get my point). In this, it's a couple of sentences and then it's over. I was like WTF?

What is a great swoon-worthy moment in a movie, looked ridiculous here.

Second, when she's in her interview she expressed herself and family as if his dad has passed away. He didn't. The brothers misunderstood and she didn't correct them. She tried and they cut her off but if you ask me she could correct them anytime later. This is not something you just forget to mention.

Third: As far as I understood, the hero is the eldest son and therefore should become the clan's leader. Instead, he wants to become something else and let his brother do his job. Umm, I found this unbelievable?? In other books, this is kind of a must so this thing that he can do what he wants is just not right.

Anyway, I came to almost half of the book. The book talks about chemistry between the characters but if the author put so much time in describing the interior of the mill and leaves only a couple of sentences for the meet-cute you don't really feel anything for the MCs. For me, the feelings were just words but I didn't see any passion between them.

2 stars.

this was such a well written book.
Lady Fenella Franklin is too tall, too shy, & too intelligent for the ton.
She is the recipient of a horrible wager which ruins her chances of a marriage.

Lachland MacNaughton is supposed to be the next laird but doesn't think he will be good at it.
Neither him nor his brothers are good at math and it shows in their books.
Lady Fenella answers the ad for a bookkeeper and its love at first sight for Lachland.

Their chemistry is immediate and continues to develop into a lovely relationship where they both support each other.

This is a fabulous story about two individuals finding their correct place in the world and with each other.
Lady Fenella Franklin is too tall, too intelligent, has a talent for numbers, and a business mind. She is also the object of a cruel wager which also highlights her poor flirtation abilities.
Lachland MacNaughton's grandfather wants him to be the next Laird of his clan. Lachlan feels he would be better doing other things.
Magic happens when Fenella and Lachlan meet and find each other. The supporting characters give strong support and hopefully will have stories of their own in the future. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!