Thank you to Bianca M Shwarz, Central Avenue Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER. There were many anachronisms in this novel, not least the way the characters spoke. There was mix of modern phraseology and awful Cockney-type words that took me out of the novel and spoilt the flow which was a real shame. I enjoyed the first half of the novel, even though it was a bit cliched with the lovely Sir Henry rescuing the waif and stray and then falling in love with her because she was so beautiful. It was all a bit shallow I'm afraid. The second half I couldn't read because my interest waned. I don't like leaving poor reviews because I know how hard it is to write a full length novel. I think with some paring down and some research into the speech that was genuinely used this could have been much better.

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Biance M. Schwarz follows the horribly exciting story of Eliza Broad and how she was almost sold to a sex sadist by her awful stepfather. Luckily, she is rescued by a gentleman called Henry who turns out to be a spy fort he Kingdom of England. Together they unmask the criminals and save all future women from this terrible fate.

This story is so much more than what I expected it to be. Not only is it a beautiful and spicy romance novel, but it’s also an intriguing tale of spies and clues and interesting developments and plot twists. I would, however, liked it a bit more if the different aspects of the story would have blended together better. No wit almost felt like two different books with the emphasis on the historical romance in the first half and the focus on mystery in part two. A combined experience would have made it even better in my opinion.

In general I really enjoyed tis book and would deifnitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little spicy romance mystery. If you’re quickly triggered by explicit sex scenes, this might not bet he book for you, though. I just know that I’ve already put book two in the series on my TBR, and I can’t wait for it to come out in the summer of 2021.

DNF @11%

I just couldn’t keep reading. I was very excited to read this, the premise sounded very interesting. Actually reading it, I was so bored, I didn’t care, and I couldn’t connect with the characters. I’m sure this is a great read, but not for me.

Let me preface this by saying it has been a very long time since I’ve read a good mystery book, and historical fiction is one I’ve been meaning to throw myself back into. This one hooked me from just the cover, because it’s so gorgeous, and I don’t think I’m free of its clutches yet.

This book started out very intense, right into the nitty-gritty of it without beating around the bush. There were butts kicked, no names taken, and honestly? This was worth every single letter.

I absolutely regret having to stop reading this for a bit because of stupid exams. And do not be mistaken, I will be back to read this all at once.

Eliza comes from a troubled past, and in one moment of courage, manages to escape. She meets a beacon of light who takes her away from it all. Henry finds her in the street, and whisks her away to his home and entrusts his housekeeper, Mrs. Tibbet, with her. In the weeks of healing that follow, Eliza and Henry grow into a friendship that is unique to both of them — to Eliza who’s seen so little of it and to Henry, who’s seen most friendships weathered by war or lust.

The best part of this book is undoubtedly seeing Eliza grow into herself, but in a way where she’s not just unearthing something dormant. It’s her actively learning and picking up new skills from all the amazing characters around her, it’s her blossoming into her confidence. We never see her really cursing the way she grew up as much as we see her cursing the people she grew up around and I loved that about her — not everything was about getting a reputable status in society as much as it was earning the opportunities she’d been deprived of.

The conflict throws her right back into a dark, gritty world filled with prostitutes, pimps, and a very large misconception about the nuances of pain and pleasure. Henry and his circle of confidants draw her in without a second thought, and while their friendship blossoms into them being lovers, Henry never loses his awe for her intellect. He mentions it over and over in a way that doesn’t feel like he’s trying to persuade; rather, it sounds more like someone who’s prideful of a person close to their heart. Anyway, I loved Henry for his doting, kind nature that seemed quite at odds with how he saw himself.

Eliza is truly what I personally look for in strong female characters: she doesn’t reject traditionally feminine things, but she’s also just as unapologetic in her approach when she deals with people in circles that aren’t (according to “society rules”) meant for her. She plays a huge hand in uncovering this sex trafficking ring that could’ve ruined many more lives, fueled by her motivation to stop men from treating women like objects, and also by the sheer knowledge that it could’ve been her in that position.

Henry was an amazing character as well, because he unearthed many of his layers and roles as the story went on. He was born in a wealthy family and while this wealth is mentioned multiple times throughout the book, he also sees it as a sort of pawn, if you will, to reach for information to make the world a better place. And the sweet way he treats Eliza is the cherry on top, truly.

The author uses dialogue and words that speak of exactly where the story is set, including the multiple cockney accents, the endearing French accent, etc. The story is artfully spun amongst a balance of light and dark themes and with amazing minor characters. Tibby, Emily, Robert, Sara, Allen, etc. all made for a wonderful novel. Bianca Schwarz leaves you breathless by the time the last word comes around and I still haven't caught mine.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a dark suspense with a dash of romance and thrill! There are moments that are very dark, almost sending you spiraling, but there are quirky moments full of Eliza and Henry’s delightful interactions. There’s an eroticism to the historical romance, and a fantasy in being set in a time that doesn’t exist anymore. There’s the sadistic nature of the antagonists, and the determination of the other characters to rescue people from that fate. The only thing I personally didn't like was the age difference between Eliza and Henry, given that she'd just turned 18 and Henry was well a decade older. Regardless, it’s a package I could never regret picking up, only putting down.

Definitely going for a re-read at some point!

[Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review!]

So happy I got to read this and am excited to read the next in the series!

Sir Henry is a nobleman full of kindness and wit, and when he finds Eliza, a young woman in the street all beaten and near naked, he rescues her. Through her recovery, love begins to grow. I like how the book focused a lot on the issue of sex slavery/trade that has so long plagued our world, whether rich or poor! The story is fast paced and interesting, some chapters are short making it a steady read. There are some BDSM elements in the book, giving it a bit of an erotic vibe but nothing that would put it in that category.

I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an impartial read. I really enjoyed reading this. It is an entertaining escaping read that transported me away from lockdown 2 in the UK to the streets of Victorian London for a few hours. I left my historical fact checking sensibilities at the door and just enjoyed the ride. Eliza is her own woman and I very much enjoyed sharing her journey. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

The Innkeeper's Daughter (formerly published as A Thing of Beauty) is an interesting mix of historical novel, romance, and mystery. There were elements of the book that did work for me, mostly the mystery elements but the romance and historical elements feel flat. For one there were many anachronisms in the writing and way the characters talked and teased each other. The romance to me felt rush and predictable. The mystery element however kept me engaged and I would be interested to see what additional mysteries Sir Henry discovers in his other adventures.

The Innkeeper's Daughter is the absolutely delightful beginning to a new mystery series, The Gentleman Spy Mysteries. The story is set in England at the end of 1819, with protagonist Sir Henry March rescuing a young woman who has just escaped a brutal beating. Henry takes Eliza to his home in London to recover from her injuries and through finding out how it happened, he discovers she is bright, courageous and quite intriguing. They also discover a shared love of books and begin to not only becomes friends, but each also sees the potential for more in their relationship. Henry served during the Napoleonic wars, was knighted and continues to serve the crown, which embroils him in a continuing search for an English member of the peerage turned spy during the war. The search takes a turn into a very dark subculture involving sex trafficking and torture. These discoveries put many of those close to Henry into perilous circumstances with many hidden twists, turns and revelations.

I immediately fell in love with both Henry and Eliza, their interactions were so wonderfully written, you will absolutely want to see them together. All of the characters surrounding Henry so well fleshed out that you are quickly drawn into the story and want to discover who is really behind all of the terrible crimes. The world of 1819 London was brought to life so beautifully, the history, customs, households and in particular the wonderful shopping spree scene with Henry and Eliza. I found it so easy to get caught up in the world, story and journey that Henry and Eliza are on together. I would certainly recommend this novel to mystery lovers, fans of British period pieces, romance lovers and those who want a novel to carry them away to another time. I will definitely be waiting on the next installment of the series because it has a fantastic start in this book!! A warning, there are some very dark themes through the story involving detailed descriptions of sex trafficking and assault.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I made it through chapter one--barely. Perhaps it gets better, but it managed to hit all my most hated tropes: over-accented dialogue ("“He owns a mill and ’e’s willin’ ta marry ya. What the fuck’s yar problem?”); an overuse of profanity with the excuse of "character" or "grittiness" I think (in 4 pages, uses "fuck" three times and "c*nt twice) but comes off as self-indulgent; the poor little main character who is so smart and virtuous but is so abused by Evil Relatives.

Again, maybe it gets better, but the poor writing choices made in 4 pages immediately made me not care to find out.

Welcome to the big leagues, Bianca Schwarz! The Innkeeper's Daughter is original, and draws your attention from the beginning. The story is set truly within the confines of society at that time and while you are rooting for Eliza and Henry, Schwarz does not sugarcoat anything. The supporting cast of characters is so strong, readers will quickly root for the subsequent books of the series. I hope that wait is not too long. Bravo!

this was a great mystery book, the characters were great and I really enjoyed going on this journey. I look forward to more from the author.

This book was so good! I loved loved Eliza and Henry’s characters and how their relationship developed over the course of the book. While there is romance too, it’s definitely not a light fluffy read, there are very dark hard to read parts of the book that made me cringe but they are going against evil characters so I suppose it had to be done. I wish the ending was more tidier but that’s cause I hate cliffhangers and this one does leave you hanging. I can not wait foot the second book though.

I love reading these Regency Spy Romance novels. I loved the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig and although the main spy in The Innkeeper's Daughter is not a woman as in those stories, they had a similar style of intrigue & romance. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series & expect it will focus on one of Sir Henry's spy friends.
Sir Henry was likeable & had the right amount of prowess, skill & compassion. It is easy to imagine that if there really had been more men like Sir Henry and his band of spies that perhaps some of those in the lower classes would have fared better during those historical times of poverty & disease.
I also enjoyed that our main damsel in distress, Eliza, proved herself to be quite capable. She has an endearing personality but I do worry for her future. The romance between the two is quickly developing into a partnership. Too bad Eliza is not nobility. I can't wait to see how the author resolves that problem in future books.

It could both have been worse and better.

Alright, hear me out, I do enjoy my fair share of sexy romance, when it’s well written. The romance in this book, however, felt like its exact weakest point. The book is set in the 19th century and it starts with introducing us to Eliza, a common girl around the age of 18 or 19, with an abusive step-father. After the step-father in question beats her up and locks her in the cellar, she manages to escape through the coal chute and gets rescued, by chance, by the rich and handsome Sir Henry March.

At this point, in my head I already had this in mind (I do know that in the movie they are related and that MBB is 16):

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He is older, very handsome, educated, charming and eloquent. Also, Henry. She is beautiful, young, kind and feisty. (There is a character called Millie, but it’s not the main one.)

And of course, of course, it’s insta-love. I mean, technically, a few weeks pass from the moment he rescues her to the moment they start flirting, but we only read of the time passing, and it’s all pretty obvious right from the start. I believe there was maybe half a page at the very beginning where I thought he will be just her savior or more of a mentor and not her lover, but from then on it’s exasperatingly cliched. He thinks she’s a fast learner so he’s impressed. She thinks he’s kind for saving her, so she gets all googly-eyed. You know the drill.

If there had been a bit more suspense and “Will they/won’t they” kind of thing, I would have enjoyed the whole affair a whole lot more.

Note: What made it all worse was the modern-day pillow-talk which felt extremely out of place around Victorian England. Like, “Good morning, sleepyhead.” Yickes.

But don’t get me wrong, there were other parts of the book that I did enjoy! Like, all the parts where the romance between Henry and Eliza was not happening. The detective work, the sex trafficking ring investigation, all that was quite interesting and kept me hooked. I also enjoyed following all the separate pieces in the grand scheme of the events coming together, not least of all those which I expected might get forgotten in the commotion.

There’s going to be a second book:

Would I read it? Yes.

Would I roll my eyes at similar over-the-top romance? Probably.

I just want to point out there may be a few triggers here for people-- sex trafficking and abuse being two of them. That being said, if youre into dark and sinister espionage I highly recommend.

Im opting not to go over what all the other reviewers have said over and over about plot and story line, but if the cover gives you any indication of how richly and intricately told the story is, this book book does not dissappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for this honest review.

When wealthy Sir Henry stumbles on badly injured Eliza while she is attempting to escape her abusive stepfather, he takes pity on her and brings her to his home to recuperate. Thus begins the story of how two people from wildly dissimilar backgrounds become, first friends, and slowly something more. But it is more than that. You get a sense of how vulnerable many women were at that time unless they had a male protector of some kind. Sir Henry's and Eliza's backstories are revealed, and do a terrific job of informing their actions throughout the book as they deal with an assortment of villains from both of their pasts. An enjoyable romance with some unexpected elements I found quite refreshing.

In general this book was well written. It is a story of a girl from the working class rescued by a member of the aristocracy/gentry and they fall in love.

But the content is another story. This is a book that relies on sexual sadism of young women, both are around 20 years old. They are treated in a reprehensible way and the characters are quite right to be horrified  at this at the climax and conclusion of the story. What is ironic is that the heroine, that has sexual relations with the hero in the first third of the book, is 16 years old, which is 6 years older than his daughter. How can you hold sexual sadism as such a immoral thing, while pedophilia is encouraged by this book? And don't forget the scene where he taught her fellatio. I am sure that most 16 years old at this time were taught to fellate instead of how to dance. This isn't about arranged marriages or marriages where there is a dynastic reason. No, the hero is attracted with lust to a woman half his age. For God's sake, I wanted to throw up when in chapter 5 he described how her breasts filled out the bodice of her dress. The author says that this is an initial foray into to the Romance genre. My suggestion is to scrap that idea until romance and age gaps are fully researched. There were many more marriages where the couples are close in age. The prevalence of this amongst romance readers is appalling. Just about every hero who is a widower married a woman close to his own age the first time.

Normally, I would refuse to review this book because of the age gap and the fact that a 16 year old is not, in any shape or form, mature enough to act like they are written. These heroines who are young, act like woman in their late 20s or early 30s. But since this is fiction, the authors altered realities are substituted for creative license. And FYI, in many times, the dynastic marriages were between woman who were 2 to 5 years older than the male. Most males were out in the battle fields or in other areas where they were killed by the way they lived (missionaries, world explorers, spies, navy, merchant boat captains, etc). The women left behind were scrambling for husbands and many were married when their betrothed came of age at 21 and they were older.

No recommendation to read. I would give zero stars, but it won't let me, so I have to give it one star.

Eliza, innkeeper's daughter, suffers all kinds of violence by her stepfather. Finally, she manages to escape and gentleman Henry rescues her.

And Eliza knows that such kindness needs a payment; reasonable assumption in these days was - woman's body, no matter where she was born - in a mansion or in roadside inn.

In the novel we find violence, sex, suspence and the victim is always the woman. Man is prince on a white horse or brute beyond measures. Eliza is not convincing character, sometimes she is confident and sometimes just young, immature being.

I have mixed feelings about the book.

I wasn’t sure if there was a way to NOT review a book because you don’t really want to leave a negative review? It’s not a bad book but far more sexual than I anticipated. While I’m not a complete prude, what i really didn’t appreciate was the perpetuation of rescued-female stereotypes. The spy element of the storyline was interesting and I felt like I would have maybe (big maybe) have even enjoyed the romance too if the sexual content hadn’t been so explicit and graphic about S&M and deviancy with children. It’s too bad because the characters were well developed but overall the book left a horrible taste in my mouth. I would have absolutely stopped reading if I hadn’t have promised a review for an ARC. Won’t pick up this author ever again.