I’ve known Counterfeit Love author Crystal Caudill for almost a decade. Because we’re good friends, I’m extra relieved this book is great. This would be very awkward if I thought she’d written an average book. Thankfully, she’s produced one of the best debuts I’ve ever read.

Counterfeit Love begins after Theresa has rebuilt her shattered life, but as the novel start, she’s crushed again. Her former fiancé, Broderick, shows up unexpectedly as she’s fighting for her life, and the truth about her overbearing grandfather comes to light.

With walls closing in from every direction, how can Theresa prove her innocence, save her home and escape the gang that wants to silence her forever, all with her heart still in tact?

This book is extremely well researched, covering the infancy of the Secret Service. The plot is tightly crafted and unpredictable. I settled on the identity of ‘the bad guy’ several times before I got it right. And the characters will endure in my mind long after The End. Broderick is a hero worthy of attention, and Theresa proves she’s more than a match for any would be rescuer. I can’t wait for more from my talented friend.

I received a copy of this from Kregel Publications but also bought the audio and paperback versions. My opinions are all my own.

Teresa Plane feels indebted to her grandfather. He took her in after she lost her parents, and she will do anything for him. As he begins racking up debt after debt, Teresa does what she can to pay them off as quickly as they come. Things are not easy. In fact, Teresa soon learns that her grandfather has even more problems - and seccrets.

Meanwhile, Secret Service agent Brodderic Cosgrove is determined to break up a very lucrative counterfeit ring. When Broderick's fight for justice runs him right smack into Teresa, he is devastated. Why is his search for the counterfeiters bringing him back into contact with her? The pair nearly married, but that fell through years ago. Actually, Teresa is now engaged to another man. Broderick really hopes she is not tied into the counterfeit business, but things are not looking good.

In this fast-paced debut novel by Crystal Caudill, romance, action and danger all come together as Teresa and Broderick join forces to right the many wrongs that are spinning out of control. What an enjoyable book and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Kregel Publications and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Theresa Plane is an artist that is using her skills to make money to try to pay off her Grandfather’s debts. She loves her grandfather for raising her, but he seems to have gotten into trouble with nefarious men tracking him down to pay for his debts. Theresa has a dashing fiancé Edward Graystone, but when she runs in with her former fiancé, Broderick Cosgrove, sparks fly. Broderick is working as an undercover agent for the Secret Service to find the leader of a counterfeiting ring. When this investigation leads him to Theresa’s door, the two have to form a partnership to solve this mystery.

I love historical mysteries, and this had a lot of intriguing elements. I loved the gilded age setting, secret service, and counterfeit angles. I also enjoyed that this is a clean read with light Christian elements to the story. One of my favorite romance tropes is second chance love, so you know what couple of the love triangle I was rooting for in this story. I am a Water Resources Engineer that has worked on flood management projects in the past and I found it intriguing that the backdrop of this story was the great Cincinnati flood of 1884. I loved the details!

The only downside of this book to me is that it did take me a bit to get into the story. The start of it made me feel that I should know the backstory of what had happened to these characters, but it was the first book in the series.

Overall, Counterfeit Love is a great new Christian historical mystery novel!

Book Source: A Review Copy from Kregel Publishing as part of the Audra Jennings PR Book Tour. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Counterfeit Love is a historical romantic suspense featuring Theresa and Broderick. IT's also kind of a second chance romance. However, Theresa is engaged to another man when they meet up again. This ended up being an OK read for me. I felt like it was a little too long and I did skim read in parts. I figured out one of the reveals fairly early on in the book. Throughout the book, I kept feeling like tis was a sequel. But, it isn't because it's a debut novel. I just felt like I was missing something.

I did like the characters especially Theresa. I liked her drive to do whatever it took to take care of her grandfather and keep their house. She was brave and smart. Edward was clearly all wrong for her, so I was definitely team Broderick. This is a clean Christian romance. that is heavier on the suspense than the romance. Give it a try.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.

The stunning cover and excellent premise had all the earmarks of being a solid, emotional, right-up-my-alley read for me, but the story itself turned out to be anything but my cup of tea. My favorite things about it were that Nathaniel was a fantastic second-chance fellow and the history shared was an accurate depiction of what really happened in the past. I highly appreciate historical accuracy in fiction stories, so the author gets brownie points for that, definitely.

What I struggled with the most was the antagonists. Both of the main bad guys read as two-dimensional brutes rather than the nuanced, sophisticated men they were supposed to be. I found them unrealistic and unbelievable, and I wasn’t sure why they were trusted to be in charge of anything. They made it impossible for me to enjoy the majority of this novel.

I also struggled to understand why the leading lady couldn’t see the obvious abuses and cruelties her fiancé threw in her face and against her person when she could so easily see through everyone else. She readily excused his behavior as her fault, becoming even more a victim to his tyranny, but she was always bold and independent with everyone else. She was a conundrum I couldn’t figure out, and that made it difficult for me to root for her.

Why did the leading man have a pet rock in his pocket? I get the reason he tried to give me toward the end, but throughout the whole story, it just came off as immature for a Secret Service agent to be dependent upon clenching his fist around a rock in order to cool his temper. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for the career path he chose.

I did like that somebody was called to task about “compromis[ing] [their] convictions” at one point. This is something I don’t see often enough in most Christian fiction books I read today, so it was really refreshing to see that play out here.

I’m sad that I couldn’t enjoy this one, as the first chapter hooked me in and many of the plot twists were well delivered and surprising. The author’s voice was pretty solid and quite expressive, so I’m sure she’ll gain lots of fans in her career. I hope there will be better character development for future bad guys so that they will be a lot more realistic than these ones turned out to be. And do please keep that historical accuracy coming!

Content: bullying (excessive), skimpy clothing, prostitutes, gambling, brothel, tobacco, saloon, alcohol, replacement profanity, one profane word, derogatory terms, swearing “by all that is good and holy”

A little slow starting, but still an enjoyable historical read with some plot twists. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to the next book.

"It is so delightful to love a book I've read that is by a debut author! I've seen how writers generally improve over time, so when a debut author hits it out of the park, it makes me so happy for them.

Starting out with a bang, Crystal Caudill's debut novel, Counterfeit Love, is a book to cheer for. The plot was gripping, the premise believable, the characters endearing, the message of faith was strong and clear... What more could I ask for? Oh, right, there was enough well-placed humor to keep the story from becoming dark and sinister. Yay!

After Broderick disappeared from Theresa's life years earlier, she was convinced he didn't care and wasn't to be trusted. It was clear he had plenty of secrets as well. I loved how they kept trying to trust the other and then encountered something else that caused them to doubt.

Theresa's grief and fear over the circumstances she found herself in were palpable. I was able to put myself in her shoes and feel what she did. It was so easy to see why she felt she had been abandoned by God.

I had one of the characters pegged for what he was, yet I was making up all kinds of stories about what was going to happen with at least a few of the others that were way off base. It was fun trying to guess what was going to happen and who the culprits were.

I was engrossed from the start and was glad to have had uninterrupted reading time so I didn't have to wait long to find out what was happening next. The mystery and danger were quite compelling. I also loved the historical aspects of the story and learning about things like counterfeiting in the 1880s.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction with suspense, mystery, and romance will want to read Counterfeit Love. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own."

Crystal Caudill's debut novel is filled with non-stop action, intrigue, romance, and mystery. I enjoyed it for the most part but I did have some issues with it. Theresa Plane is an orphan who lives with her curmudgeon grandfather. She is engaged to Edward Greystone but it becomes clear she does not love him when Broderick Cosgrove comes back to town and gets her heart pounding again after six years of not seeing each other. There is backstory here, but it's not clear what exactly happened between the two of them because the author only reveals bits and pieces of it throughout the story, and this made the beginning somewhat hard to follow.

Broderick Cosgrove is an operative in the Secret Service and he is working undercover to try to uncover the leader of a counterfeiting ring. Unfortunately, Theresa's grandfather is involved and this puts Theresa in danger and she becomes a suspect for the Secret Service. There are twists and turns, a slew of characters, and enough action to almost label this a thriller, rather than a Christian historical romance. Not a bad thing. However, the amount of action came at the cost of underdeveloped characters, such as that of Edward and Nathaniel. The pacing was great though, and it kept me turning the pages.

Theresa is strong-willed and fiercely independent but she threw herself into dangerous situations that made her seem foolish and naive. I had a hard time liking her when she was engaged to one man but pining over another. I also have a hard time with books whose characters do illegal things and questionable activities in the name of service to their country and expect God to listen to their prayers even while they disregard His moral standards.

Apart from this, fans of historical fiction will enjoy the added historical notes from the author at the end of the book that gives more details on the history of the Secret Service, counterfeit bills, route ciphers, and the devastating flood of 1884.

Ah, a deliciously, satisfying debut novel of the Gilded Age from Crystal Caudill. A couple, Theresa Payne and Broderick Cosgrove, once engaged, must determine if they can trust each other and if there is any hope for a rekindled romance. Will they be able to work together to uncover the true counterfeiters in Cincinnati?

Caudill emphasizes themes of trust, forgiveness, and family as she provides plenty of emotion, action, and truth. “Even if…” is a big question that Theresa grapples with mightily. The novel is well-paced, balancing all the threads together- romance, history, suspense, and life lessons- delightfully.

Broderick is the long-absent love; tall, charming, and witty. But he is shrouded in mystery. His methods are a little suspect. His results, well, not quick enough for the boss. Is he a man of faith and integrity or one who would play Theresa and his partners for fools?

Theresa is wonderfully headstrong, intensely loyal, and is also very intelligent. Is she intelligent enough to figure out her grandfather’s secrets? Loyalty is a great quality if one places it in the right person. Can Theresa discern who to trust with her secrets? Theresa tends to be quick to forgive and allow most people second chances. I loved this about her, but sure rooted for her trust not to be abused!

While Theresa and Broderick are relatable and sure to earn the reader’s loyalty, other characters kept hopping the good guy/bad guy fence for me. What I thought of characters like Isaacs, Lydia, Abraham, Mrs. Hawking, Grandfather, and others was variable. This fluidity made the story very suspenseful, and I couldn’t put it down!

With thoughtful questions at the end, this would be a good book for a book club discussion.

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through I Read with Audra. (I also bought a copy for my keeper shelf.) No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:
“Nathaniel wronged you, but God convicted him, and he’s a different man now.”

“It’s so nice to be together again. Isn’t it?” Theresa squeezed their arms…” “About as nice as an outhouse in summer.” …” Then I suppose it’s a good thing I have plumbing.”

“Feelings change, and they can lie, but God’s presence is constant and true. Whether we feel Him or not.”

Love, not blood, makes a family.

Family. The word stuck in her throat like a lozenge, melting to soothe an ache she’d long accepted as permanent. Her blood relatives were gone, but the love flanking either side of her pulsed with life and healing. They may not always see eye to eye, but they cared. More than that, they wanted her.

God answered Theresa’s prayers this time, but that didn’t mean He would in the future. Could she trust Him with what little she had left? But trust didn’t mean she’d get what she wanted. So, what did it mean?

“…no matter what happens or what you think you’ve lost, you cannot lose God….

I was drawn to this book by its beautiful, intriguing cover, as I read the first line, I thought I had an idea of what this book would be about, “I don’t understand why we can’t marry sooner. Cincinnati doesn’t require your grandfather’s consent.”

Boy, was I wrong. Teresa, the main female character, is stronger and smarter than she first appears. It became clearer the more I read and the thicker the plot grew. Things moved a little slow in the beginning as the author allows readers to get to know Theresa, her current and past fiancé’s, family business and gives us a closer look at this small town in Cincinnati.

The author did a good job of keeping the reader wondering who the bad guys were. It kept getting more difficult as time went on. LOL! Things were not black and white; it was all beginning to look a scary shade of gray. I liked how the story allowed readers to figure out what was really going on at Theresa’s grandfather’s business and arousing our curiosity as to a possible mole and if so, who it was.

I liked getting to know Broderick Cosgrove and learn about the tough job he had. Not to mention the personal trauma he had to contend with his former-fiancé and brother. Could he trust his heart? And his brother to do the right thing, when the situation went haywire and deadly last time.

I enjoyed the way the author naturally wove in a spiritual thread as the characters struggle to do what is right. There was a splash of romance in the middle of the drama, as Theresa and Broderick fight the flames of a love they once had, acknowledging the fact, Theresa is engaged to another. Alas, the rub.

I was fascinated by the author notes to reader as she talks about what was real and what she made up to make the story work. It was very interesting to learn about how the Secret Service started and how they went about doing business. It was complex. It was surprised to learn how much counterfeiting was going on back in the 1880s, along with the great floods in 1883 and 1884 and time bombs.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

There was a nice inspirational thread throughout this romance. I really enjoyed the historical details included within the mystery. I especially liked that this was set in Ohio which is not a typical setting for historical romances.

Theresa and Broderick were interesting on their own, but I really enjoyed when they were together on the page. The romance was sweet and they were pretty evenly matched in strong personalities.

Note: I received this book complimentary from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are honest and my own.

Counterfeit Love is author Crystal Caudill's debut novel. It is Book 1 in the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. This is a Christian historical romance with mystery and intrigue. It is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I will be watching for future works.

This is the story of Theresa Plane and Broderick Cosgrove. She has been trying to pay her grandfather’s debt and clear her family’s name. The emotions from the trials and struggles she experienced jumped from the pages of the book into my heart. I was so engrossed in the story and the character. She went through so much that she felt God had deserted her.

A few years ago, Broderick had been in Theresa’s life and then just vanished. He had so many secrets that Theresa deemed him untrustworthy. Now they encounter one another again and Theresa appears to have secrets, also.

This is a captivating story with twists and turns, humor, mystery, romance, and a beautiful Christian message. The author has an inviting style of writing. She whisked me off to the late 1880’s and taught me about life there. I enjoyed learning about the Secret Service and counterfeiting from that era. The characters’ spiritual journey was my favorite of the book. It was written realistically and beautifully.

I highly recommend this for history, romance, or Christian fiction readers. Reading groups and book clubs would enjoy this selection. There are discussion questions at the back to aid in their chats. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy of this book was provided but these are my own, honest words.

Counterfeit Love
by Crystal Caudill
Book 1 in the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. Crystal Caudill's debut novel is anything but ordinary. Her writing has well developed mystery and action all with a swoon worthy hero and a strong heroine who fights for what she wants.

First, the cover is gorgeous. Who doesn't love a mysterious cover with the striking woman in the forefront. The color tones definitely make you think of a mystery to be solved.

Second, the story is very well thought out and developed. The story has many layers to it that keep the reader guessing. (I may have guessed some of the ending but there's no way I guessed everything). The author incredibly thorough and creative with this story.

Third, the two main characters were super interesting and made you root for them. Theresa's background story is believable and admirable while Broderick's career choices are relatable. Their chemistry together is undeniable and yet, there are realistic obstacles to keep them from being together.

Fourth, as a Christian I really enjoy when the author is not afraid to incorporate her faith into a novel and clearly demonstrate what forgiveness and redemption looks like when you are a believer. I empathized with how the characters struggled to forgive and trust. How often do we have trouble trusting after we've been hurt or betrayed by others close to us?

"Fear not and trust pounded in her head as if God Himself were determined to carve the words into her brain so she’d stop forgetting them. Would she ever learn to trust the One with all the answers?"

Honorable mention for creating characters that are written to be unlikable - the author was not afraid to go there and I admire her for that.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical romance with action, mystery and daring adventure!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Counterfeit Love is set during the Gilded Age, 1883, in Cincinnati. Theresa Plane has been raised by her grandfather, but they are both in danger now because he is accused of being a counterfeiter. She is engaged to marry a wealthy man, Edward Greystone, and yet she finds her old beau, Broderick Cosgrove, a Secret Service operative, is the one person who can keep her safe.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and I'm interested in the Gilded Age.

Counterfeit Love is the first book in a new series - Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age. It starts off with a chase at a cemetery. It took me a couple of chapters to catch up with the action because so much was happening so quickly. After Theresa met Broderick, her old love, again, things became very interesting ... and I wanted to see how she would get out of the danger she found herself in.

This is such a densely packed, exciting book with a counterfeiting storyline, well realized characters, and a swoony romance. I loved Theresa and Broderick's story.

The period details in this book are fascinating and I found myself looking up details several times because I wanted to know more -- for example the Mount Auburn Incline, an Incline system that was in Cincinnati during this time period.

Theresa is a wonderful, brave protagonist, an artist, an animal rescuer (some sweet stories there!), and someone to really pull for.

Counterfeit Love was an engrossing read, and I wholeheartedly recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the Gilded Age. I look forward to reading future books in this series!

I really enjoyed this book. I like that it had a second chance romance aspect to it but I also like that it had a mystery aspect to it. I liked how we were right with the characters trying to figure out who was all involved with the Counterfeit ring. I liked that it wasn’t till the end that all the pieces fell into place. I thought this was a good book and look forward to reading other books by this author.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This novel encompasses several genres that I enjoy reading: mystery, historical, romance, and Christian. All of these facets are wound together to create this enticing tale of a strong woman that isn't afraid to go after what she wants no matter who stands in her way.

Theresa is a plucky young woman and I admire her courage and strength to continue with her life despite those that hold her back. She senses that her fiance, Edward, isn't the right man for her and she is right for so many reasons. I won't share those because it would give away too much of the plot. She also still loves Broderick despite his pigheadedness but he just might be the right man for her.

I loved the time period and the mystery of who is counterfeiting currency. There are so many possibilities and one of my suspicions held true. I love how the Secret Service is investigating this crime and has several people undercover to infiltrate the ring. However, there is one agent, Darlington, that is sent in to help speed things along that nearly blows it for everyone. It doesn't help that he is abrupt, rude, and suspects Theresa of being the engraver.

Theresa and Broderick struggle with many things throughout this book from faith, trust, respect, and finding the truth. They are both given nudges along the way to find their way back to each other and to God.

This book is gritty and gets right into the trenches with the criminals, brothels, saloons, and so much more. But it adds to the richness of the background, characters, and storyline. I wouldn't expect anything less and was glad to see that the author wasn't afraid to show the seedy side of the times.

There were times when I read this book when I wondered if this was the 2nd book in a series because of the discussions about Theresa and Broderick's past. It felt like this should have been a second book but it is not. However, it did not detract from the story and the author does a good job of explaining their past with each other.

Overall, we give this 4 paws up and look forward to reading more from this debut author.

I found myself captivated by Crystal Caudill's story of a counterfeiting ring and the secret service member that was trying to thwart it. Broderick was everything a romantic hero should be - Daring, Charming, and just a little bit mysterious. Theresa thought she was over him, but was she ever wrong. Engaged to someone else when he pops back into her life at a cemetery of all places.

Theresa is independent and headstrong - A combination that has gotten her in trouble a time or two. Raised by her grandfather, a retired military man, she is doing all she can to save his name and her home.

This was a well-paced story that brought in all the suspense and all the intrigue. I found myself turning each page looking for answers only to have to turn the next. The story was rich and I could almost place myself in the turn of the century town.

Crystal Caudill writes a thrilling suspense and I was met with turns that were surprising and not surprising at the same time. The threads of the story were woven together masterfully.

I received an early copy and am thrilled to share my honest opinions.

Counterfeit Love drew me in from the first chapter and held my attention to the very end. And what an exciting ending it was! The historical aspect was well done, I felt immersed in the time period and I enjoyed learning all about counterfeiting. However the story relied very heavily on backstory that's explained in dribs and drabs throughout so it felt like reading a sequel. The story would've flowed a lot better if there was a prologue or a couple of "six years earlier" type chapters. I can't say I was super enamored with Theresa. I like a strong, independent woman but not stubbornness to the point of foolishness which was often the case with her. I did really enjoy reading about her struggle and journey to faith. I like Broderick, he was a very likable character and I loved how his steadiness and logic balanced out Theresa. The romance was 50/50 for me. On the one hand I hate love triangles but on the other hand I really love second chance romances! Either way there were plenty of kisses to keep this romance lover happy!

What a fun novel of historical intrigue and romance!
This story follows Theresa Plane, a woman who is struggling to pay her grandfather’s debts. Theresa is devoted to her grandfather, a formal military man, who raised her following her parents’ death. Inadvertently, Theresa discovers her grandfather is hiding more than just his debts.
Broderick Cosgrove gave up everything to devote to his career as a Secret Service man, including the woman he loved. He’s on the verge of breaking the biggest case of his life – a counterfeit ring. Theresa’s connection to the ring, and to his heart, proves complicated.
There’s a lot to like about the story. The varied cast of characters leaves readers feeling like no one is to be trusted and everyone has something to hide. Theresa is stubborn, which gets her into trouble more times than she ought, but her heart and motivations are in the right place. Broderick is a likeable hero, but makes silly choices that complicates matters adding further tension to the plot. The bad guys (and there are quite a few of them) aren’t just bad, they’re really bad. The friendships that Theresa and Broderick have are strong (and I hope that we get to see some of these friends get their own happily ever after!).
I think what drew me in the most was trying to figure out who was responsible for heading up the counterfeit ring.
An excellent debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from Crystal Caudill.
I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Debut author Crystal Caudill pens a suspenseful historical romance set in the Gilded Age in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In Counterfeit Love, Theresa Plane lives with her grandfather, and tries to clear her family debts before she marries wealthy Edward Greystone. Unbeknownst to her, her grandfather harbors another secret which could bring the family name to ruin.

Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove works undercover to break up a counterfeit ring when he discovers a link between the ring and his former fiancee, Theresa. Can he prove her innocence without destroying his career? Will their past relationship be a help or a hindrance?

Caudill creates well-developed characters, descriptive narratives, and historical details in this Gilded Age novel. Filled with suspense and intrigue, the reader is engaged from the first page to the last. The story is set during the time of the great floods in Cincinnati (1880s). The faith elements address how to keep one’s trust in God when everything is going wrong. Themes of faith, trust, and redemption weave throughout the book.

Recommended for adult collections in public libraries as well as church libraries. Fans of Elizabeth Camden will delight in this new American historical fiction series. Readers will be eager to read the second book, Counterfeit Hope, coming in 2023.

Disclaimer: Book reviews are written for books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, or authors. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and my review represents my honest opinion.