I had the privilege of immersing myself in an advanced reader copy of "Love Denied" by Rose Phillips, and it was a truly engaging and emotionally charged journey that left a lasting impact. Phillips' storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping novel, which masterfully combines elements of romance, drama, and intrigue.

The story centers around the passionate and tumultuous love story of Emma and Julian, two characters whose destinies become deeply entwined through a series of twists and turns. Phillips' writing is both evocative and poignant, drawing readers into the complex emotions and relationships that define the narrative. The characters are multi-dimensional, and their personal growth is a driving force throughout the story, making them all the more relatable. The pacing is excellent, maintaining a sense of urgency and anticipation that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

What sets "Love Denied" apart is its exploration of the complexities of love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. The story navigates a tumultuous journey filled with secrets, betrayals, and unexpected revelations that keep you guessing until the very end. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to both NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this advanced reader copy. "Love Denied" is a four-star novel that delivers a powerful narrative with an emotional punch. Rose Phillips has crafted a story that reminds us of the enduring power of love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for it. It's a must-read for those who seek a tale of love, redemption, and the indomitable human spirit.

Loved the book. The triangle between Caroline, Nicholas and Daniel is complex and rife with subterfuge. Caroline keeps a secret, not hers to tell, which causes friction with Nicholas.
Thank you Rose Phillips, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I would like to thank netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting story, but not a fan of all the gay characters being absent or dead.

Love, Deception, and Life-Changing Secrets

He was gone for four years to war, and when he came back, he found out she was betrothed to his brother. Could he ever forgive her? How could Catherine want to marry his brother after what they were to one another? Nicholas was heartbroken, but eventually, he must find out the truth. Nicholas came back from war when his brother died. His brother did not die of natural causes. There were mysteries and secrets surrounding his brother’s life and death.

This is an excellent story, full of mystery, secrets, and everlasting love. It kept me turning the pages. It is my first read by this author, and it won’t be my last. I loved this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance full of mystery and secrets. It is a very well-written tale.

Rose Phillips has written a wonderful story about love, family, and what an individual is willing to sacrifice in the name of love. There were so many emotions expressed in the story by Catherine and Nicholas. Nicholas was a soldier who valued honor. Catherine was honorable as well, but in possession of a secret, that really wasn't hers to tell.
You could really tell Rose had done her research for the time period. I look forward to reading the next book in the series,

This was a first time read for me by this author. It is the first book of a new series, Honorable Intentions, and I think it is off to a lovely start! Catherine and her family were neighbors with Nicholas' family and growing up together, she has always been in love with him. When he goes off to war, she promises to wait for him to return. However, Nicholas was gone for four years and circumstances changed resulting in her agreement to marry Nicholas' older brother, Daniel. When Daniel dies before the wedding, Nicholas is called back from the war to take his place as heir. Nicholas is heartbroken by Catherine's betrayal, even though she still claims to love him. He can't seem to forgive her and puts his love aside and buries himself in estate affairs. But when he starts to uncover the truth of how events really played out, he begins to second guess himself. Can their love still survive?
I found this to be a very well-written, intriguing story and it captured my attention from the very beginning. Misunderstanding, lies, betrayal, and unrelenting love made this a story I couldn't put down. I've enjoyed this first installment of the series and I look forward to reading more!

I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

As Nikolas returns for his true love he finds more than one thing has changed in his absence. Catherine can only love Nikolas but as she is put between a rock and a hard spot she had a choice to make. Her choices are made out of love but will Nikolas see it.
I enjoyed this as a romance novel. Not too many intimate scenes. They were only where they needed to be but not drawn out. Just right. This book mentions homosexuality but it is not center stage.
I recieved this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Past decisions sometimes drive the future to be almost unbearable and Catherine only felt lost.

A story that was dark with emotions, regrets, secrets, death and forced choices, that hopefully could be forgiven.

He had gone to war, leaving his love for four years. Unfortunately he was called home due to the death of his brother and was to take the title.

She had been forced to make decisions that she felt ruined any love they could have.

A journey of pain, but triumph in the end that will leave you thinking!

A Lasting Love Beyond Tragedy

This book gave me heavy Wuthering Heights and even Edgar Allan Poe vibes! It was a much darker read than I was expecting but I liked that it tried to cover some new ground for a historical romance. The author's writing is beautiful and she conjures her setting perfectly.

Catherine and Nicholas are childhood sweethearts who are parted for four years when Nicholas goes to war. When Nicholas's older brother and the heir to the estate dies, he returns to find his beloved in mourning and the places he once knew shrouded in sorrow and mystery.

Tragic family secrets lie at the heart of the story as well as a blackmail subplot. There is a strong undercurrent of shame running through the entire book--Catherine's shame over her choices, the shame of two brothers, the shame of two fathers. I found that made for quite a heavy read, but it's nothing fans of a book like Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights won't enjoy! The melancholy is interrupted by passionate scenes between Catherine and Nicholas, who share a strong abiding love.

If you like your heroes dark and brooding like Mr. Rochester, you'll love Nicholas.

Steam Level: Steamy
TW: Bury Your Gays trope

Love Denied by Rose Phillips is the first book in a new series: Honorable Intentions. Nicholas Sinclair is home from four years at battle. It is time to take his brother's place as his father's heir. Daniel had been shot in a hunting accident, by his best friend, Laurence. Catherine was Laurence's sister and the love of Nicholas life. Overcome by being together, they let their inhibitions go and made love in the folly Nicholas had built. He said he's forgiven her. That was all she needed to hear. It was not until he'd seem his father that he had learned that she had been betrothed to Daniel. He was heartbroken. He was angry. But, he's taken he maidenhead this very afternoon and rushed to tell her they'd be married in the morning. It was not a happy proposal. Nor was it a happy wedding or wedding breakfast. Then she retired to who rooms, wondering if he would appear. He saw the guests off and road out to visit with tenants. He spent the day away, arriving back very late. He lust overcame him and he went to her bed and took her, despite the fact she was asleep. He was still angry.

This was an amazing plot. Much of the first part and some of the second part were written in the voice of a dispassionate observer. There was a secret here and everyone knew it except Nicholas. He was a warrior, and an honorable man. Sadly, it did not appear to him that Catherine was as honorable. She had to tell him, but she couldn't since she didn't see him. He found out through a series of letters Daniel had written but never sent. He was beside himself and Catherine filled in the missing parts. They were the perfect pair, as soon as the lies were revealed. They were both good characters but overshadowed by the story, almost. The truth will out, and it did. Love this new author to Dragonblade and this story. She not afraid to face hard truths and tell them to her reader. I loved it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Love Denied by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #dragonblade #lovedenied #rosephillips

Catherine Baring & her brother Laurence, and the neighbouring Sinclair boys, grew up together. She adores all three, but it is Nicholas, who owns her heart. When he leaves to join the fight against Napoleon, she vows she will wait for him. However, four years is a long time and circumstances change. Catherine agrees marry the elder Sinclair, Daniel. However Daniel is killed before the two are wed, and Nicholas is summoned from the battlefield to assume the role as heir to Woodfield Park. He’s clung to thoughts of Catherine all the time he’s been away. Catherine claims to love Nicholas, but she refuses to repent for the betrothal to his brother. Nicholas buries his conflicting feelings, and himself, in the neglected affairs of the estate. But a lifetime of loving is hard to set aside, and when he discovers a series of letters that reveal the truth behind the traitorous engagement, he's not sure he can.
This is the start of a new series & also a new author to me. A well written book that isn’t the normal run of the mill for an historical romance. It deals with issues that were taboo & also illegal. I really liked both Nicholas & Catherine who had loved each other for years but secrets, misunderstandings & assumptions threatened to tear them apart. Then just when they’d actually really talked & aired all the secrets another threat came, which threatened not only them but their families too. The book flowed really well & I read it in a couple of sittings, the characters were well portrayed & had depth, there was plenty of angst & a love that was strong enough to survive. I look forward to more books in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I found much of this book to be frustrating. I was frustrated with Catherine for not telling Nicholas the entire story of what transpired when he was gone. I was frustrated with Nicholas for constantly going from "I'm going to talk with Catherine and find out the truth" to "I'm mad and won't listen to anything she has to say". I felt like every time they started to make progress something was thrown in their way to drag the story out. And I was frustrated that it kept being stated how discreet their brothers had been and yet somehow everyone and their brother knew about it. I thought it would have been better if the focus had been more on the blackmail threats rather than the reconciliation between Catherine and Nicholas. I did really like Catherine at the end as she gained more confidence and started to demand she be a part of all discussions about what was going on.

Catherine Baring has only ever known love, spending her childhood with her brother Laurence, and the neighbouring Sinclair boys, Daniel and Nicholas. Yet Nicholas is the one who owns her heart and when he leaves to fight against Napoleon, she vows she will wait for him. When Nicholas returns to find Daniel has died leaving him as the next heir to Woodfield Park, he is surprised to find Laurence has also left to fight in the war. Yet his relationship appears to be the same with Catherine, until he discovers that Catherine was to marry Daniel and he finds that he cannot forgive her for her betrayal.
Love Denied cleverly details a family tragedy, marred by secrets, yet with a glimmer of hope. The love shared between Catherine and Nicholas appears to be extinguished when it is revealed that Catherine was to marry Daniel, yet as the story behind Daniel’s death is gradually revealed, there appears to be some hope. I found this a fascinating story with the struggle between Nicholas and Catherine, frustrating yet passionate. Catherine is determined to see the good in everyone and is the gentle strength behind this story. I enjoyed many of the secondary characters including Catherine’s father and Nan, who play their role in bringing Catherine and Nicholas back together.
This story deals with many taboo topics for the time period but does so in a very compassionate manner. A must read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Love Denied is not your typical historical romance. Author Rose Phillips includes some topics that were considered very taboo in the past. The stories central theme is “no love is wrong” and the story goes about showing this in several different circumstances.

A good story full of emotional turmoil, family secrets, and love.

3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Nicholas Sinclair returns from war to Woodfield Park as the new heir. The death of his brother has led to more questions than answers. Catherine Barring has not seen Nicholas for four years. In the time he has been gone, events have torn their families apart. Always promised to Nicolas, Catherine mistakenly thinks he has forgiven her for her part in deception. As Nicholas finds out more about the four years when he was gone, it will be a test of his love and forgiveness.
Murder, suicide, blackmail, betrayal and love. A new author on my list to continue reading this series.
STEAMY
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
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So much trauma! The emotions in this book are heart wrenching from the beginning to the end. A true whirlwind of unbelievable pain and the true bonds of love that can overcome it. Catherine has loved Nicolas since she was 6 years old and nothing would ever change that love. But while Nicolas is gone for four year fighting in the war, life carried on and she agreed to marry his brother, Daniel. When Daniel dies before they could be wed, it brings Nicolas home to a world he does not understand. For how could the woman he loved have promised herself to his brother? This question is the catalyst for the rollercoaster that ensues.
In the end, in true romance fashion they do receive their happily ever after. But it comes at great cost and with earth shattering revelations along the way. The author has a way of pulling you into the emotion as your heart breaks for each and every character.

Catherine and Nicholas story was a nice well written discovery with a little bit of mastery and well fmdeloped side characters
Nice uncommon regency story of force’s marriage
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC
3 .5 stars

As so often happens in life, the main characters in this book get caught up in a tragedy, not of their own making. My heart wept for Catherine as she had to bear the brunt of the slings and arrows pointed in her direction, and when Nicholas loses faith in her, her pain is hard to handle. In an era where reputation was more important than truth, one can only hope that Nicholas and Catherine will eventually be free of the burden they carry. Nicholas is an honorable man, but leaving Catherine behind to go a fight a war against a despot cost him far more than he could have anticipated, and with a father who could not show his pride in his children, it is no wonder that he becomes bitter. Fortunately, the novel does come to a good conclusion, but not without some help from their friends. I received a copy of this romance from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

They were childhood sweethearts then four years ago he enlisted to the British army so he will someone importand for her . When he came back to England after his brother death he finds out that his love was engaged with his brother . But before he finally knows it he had proposed to her so he married her but he is angry with her for her secrets . She has kept from him the truth because lot of people would get hurt . When the truth is revealed everything makes sense , but someone is threaten them that will reveal everything .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was not what I was expecting, but in a good way!

This book has all of the typical aspects of a Historical Romance story. I enjoyed watching Catherine and Nicholas's romance grow from what they had found growing up. The only part that I wished was that they had talked through their issues and secrets sooner. That would have allowed more time for the twists to unfold in the second half of the book.

I really appreciated that this book took on a couple really taboo topics for that timeperiod. I think that added some depth to the story and sets it apart from other books in the genre. I am looking for to the next book in the series!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC for an honest review.