I enjoyed reading Arabella’s Assistant. Arabella and Gabriel’s journey is one fraught with family deceit at every turn. The people whom you thought you’d be able to trust turn out to be the most deceitful. It is an interesting story.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

An ailing mother forces Lady Arabella to marry but when she meets Gabriel, love enters the picture. Some call her a bluestocking but Lady Arabella doesn’t mind. If she had her wish, she’d never marry. But her mother’s illness forces her to do whatever it takes to get the necessary funds: marry a rich man. When she meets Gabriel for the first time, it’s disturbing and off-putting. Sure, he’s handsome and appears to be wealthy but he’s also intelligent and that attracts her. Bonding over literature sends her heart into a tailspin. Everything is going smoothly until Gabriel’s relations get involved. Suddenly, the danger is very real, as is her love for Gabriel. Can she marry for money and love or is this just another conquest for Gabriel?

Arabella’s Assistant is a sweeping historical romance from start to finish. This is my first time reading from this author, so I didn’t know what to expect. From the very first page, I connected with the characters and was drawn in by the descriptive narration. The setting and historical accuracy took my breath away. The plot moved at a fantastic pace with a full cast of characters to interact with. The storyline with Gabriel vying for a title from his unscrupulous relatives was a very intriguing subplot. I whipped through the pages to see what would happen next. The element of surprise when the suspense hit its peak was quite unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable. The romance, though, was what made this such an exquisite reading experience. Two unlikely people bonding over literature…a book lover's dream. Judy Lynn Ichkhanian has an indelible talent for writing historical romance. The words leaped from the page and into my heart. Arabella’s Assistant is an exceptional historical romance. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend!

My Rating: 5+ stars