Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Gambler’s Daughters series. Three sisters in Ireland are at the mercy of their cousin who wants to marry them off to the most convenient person. Middle sister Dara has a plan though; send the oldest, Gwendolyn, to gamble and win enough money for the three of them (plus their great aunt) to go to London and find titled husbands. Sounds easy enough. Through a couple of chapters told from Gwendolyn and an investigator named Steele’s points of view, we see how the money is won, and the women are on their way. Dara wants the best for her sisters, so sometimes she comes across as managing and stringent, much to her younger sister Elise’s dismay. She tries to warn off Elise’s suitor, Michael since he’s not titled, and she’s agonizingly attracted to him herself. Dara feels less beautiful than her sisters and knows that she doesn’t really have a chance with him. She’s focused on making sure her sisters have good matches and they can escape their terrible cousin. Meanwhile Michael is investigating an embezzlement scheme, but the plot there is only shallowly discussed. At some point, Dara finds herself in a compromising situation and Michael is the one to rescue her, which causes a rift between Dara and Elise. The romance between these two didn’t feel developed enough for them to have fallen in love so quickly, especially after all the bickering and arguing they did from the start. I am curious to see how the stories for the other sisters works out though.

I liked very much the idea behind this book when I read the blurb I was super interested, but sadly I can’t continue reading this book because I have reached 30% and I am not feeling it.
I usually know by this mark if I am into a book or not and with this one I am just not vibing.
I also feel like the pov switching between different characters of the book didn’t help.

3 1/2 stars. This author is new to me, and while her writing style is fine, the structure of this book, the tropes, and one of the main characters didn't entice me enough to round up to 4 stars.

The plot starts off well, the first quarter or so focused on one of the three sisters, Gwendolyn, and her interesting encounter with a man named Steele, who helps her win back her losses at a gaming hell. I'm always a sucker for these slightly rough-around-the-edges types, and Gwendolyn is plucky. I was looking forward to more steamy banter and insight into what makes Steele tick.

However, the plot soon after switches gears to focus on another sister, Dara. I sympathized with Dara in places but she wasn't the kind of MFC I usually gravitate toward, being something of a wet blanket and a martyr as the second half of the book proceeds. I did like the young Irish MP, MIchael, she becomes engaged to, and found the skulduggery he's involved in during the last 30% of the book interesting.

As far as tropes go, I'm not crazy about "we must marry dukes" (there really weren't that many handsome, eligible young dukes flitting around at balls) or love triangles involving family members. And I really didn't like the attitude of Elise, the youngest sister, who goes from being semi-tolerably immature to making nasty accusations toward Dara just because she'd hoped to win Michael's hand. She put me off, and I don't feel the urge to read the next entry in the series, which will feature her.

I wish the author had plotted this out differently, focusing on the aspects that work and culling out the rest. This book feels like an unfinished novella was tacked on to a finished one, and they were both awkwardly put together. Too much ground is covered, and it makes everything feel rather rushed, including the post-marital steam between Dara and Michael.

Overall: the individual parts are better than the whole.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

I had no idea that Ms Maxwell had written over 40 books since 1994 until I was researching to see when the next book to this series would come out.

The Gambler’s Daughters, book one, was a fairly quick read for me. While the three girls’ father (Captain Sir John) was presumed dead, the girls run away from an arranged marriage to find their own husbands in London. The middle sister, Dara, is the brains of the group who thought up the plan. The oldest, Gwendolyn, and the youngest, Elise, are the knockout beauties. In London they encounter jealousy (even between sisters), scandal, some intrigue, and several attractive men who they deem unsuitable.

I loved that the sisters were so close, but didn’t like that Elise was so spoiled by always getting what she wanted that she would ruin Dara’s future. I thought that Dara would be honest with Elise (and not keep her feelings hidden) when she was always brutally open with others. I was hoping for more steamy scenes with each individual sister and I’m looking forward to books about the two remaining sisters.

I received a free copy of the book in advance and am leaving this review voluntarily.

First time reading a book by this author, and I am intrigued by their writing style. However, while I do appreciate dual POV, I think having more than two perspectives narrating in a story can be confusing to the reader. I did not know who was the main characters in the story until near the middle. At first, I thought it was Dara, but then Gwendolyn's POV was center. Then, it shifted to Dara and back to Michael on occasion, but it was never consistent. I did not know who was going to end up with whom to be honest. I found it difficult to even identify the attraction between Michael and Dara.

Additionally, I did not like Elise. She came off us self-centered and vapid, yet Dara was far too controlling. I could not connect with either sister. I was partial to Gwendolyn but wish she had more voice in getting her sisters to see reason as both were at fault. In the end, I am not sure I truly believe the romance between Michael and Dara. I am though interested in learning more about Steele. The secondary plot with him and Michael left a lot of unanswered questions.

ARC provided by Avon and Harper Voyager through NetGalley, and I have given my honest and voluntary review.

The Lanscarr sisters are wonderful caharacters, but in the building of the story I found myself questioning which of the sisters was the focus of the book... As they met Steele and Brogan, I couldn't actually pinpoint that Dara was the story's heroine, leaving the intro of the series feeling a bit too full.

Desperate to chance their fortunes, three sisters gamble their savings to try their luck at a London season. Middle sister Dara Lanscarr believes her plan for a better life for her sisters is working, until MP Michael Brogan, a rising politician, gets in the way and turns her youngest sister's head. In the process of trying to ward him off, the two find their futures intertwined.

This is the first story in the Gambler's Daughter series. For me, it fell into the "first book trap" of trying to cram too much into a single book and felt more like an entire season of a television show than a focused romance. Depending on the reader, this might be a good or bad thing.


Sisters Gwendolyn, Dara, and Elise have to get away from their guardian cousin who took over their house after their father's presumed death. Middle sister Dara comes up with a crazy plan to pool their remaining money and go to London to try to find matches (even though they have little to no connections). Oldest sister Gwendolyn takes the money and tries to expand it by gambling, but the dealer is a cheat. She is rescued by a mystery man, and I actually felt like Gwendolyn and the man were going to be the main couple. I am guessing they will probably be the couple for book three.

When they finally get to town and eventually do get a random invite, that’s when it starts to be about the actual main couple: Dara and Michael. Even then, there is an insufferable younger sister in the way, and she develops a crush on Michael. There was also a political investigaton plot happening. Because the story had so much going on, it was entertaining and a fairly quick read; but I just didn't feel like Michael and Dara got enough attention.

Tropes: Sibling's Suitor, Enemies to Lovers, Ruined, Spy/Govt Work

Steam: 1.5

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AKissintheMoonlight #NetGalley

This is a story of three sisters from Ireland who must fend for themselves, which means marry well. This is Dara's story and she has put together a plan for the three of them to go to London and find themselves Dukes. Her plans look to be derailed when an Irish politician Michael enters the story. At first it seems as her younger sister Elise and Michael are drawn together which will not suit Dara because he's not a Duke. This is where I became uncomfortable because Elise, a spoiled youngest child, did have a crush on him. The love triangle, even if not very serious, between sisters wasn't something I cared for. However of course, all's well that ends well. I didn't care for Elise, so it will be interesting to see how her character evolves in to heroine material in the next book.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like the beginning of this story was a bit slow. And elise bugged me for most of the book but I enjoyed the HEA with a little murder thrown in.
Dara has decided that she and her sisters will go to London and marry dukes. Until she meets Michael.
Michael is an MP and is hunting for an embezzler.
He quickly becomes fascinated by the independent and determined Dara.
I liked the relationship between Dara and Michael but I feel like the start of their story was a little slow.
I also feel like the tease in the beginning with Steele and Gwendolyn made me want their story a whole lot more.
I believe the next story is Elise and I don't know how I feel about that because I want Gwendolyn's story first.

Three sisters from Ireland are the center of this new trilogy by Cathy Maxwell.
We are introduced to them as they try to escape their home in Ireland for London and the season. It is Dara, the middle sister, who decides a plan for them to go to London and marry well. Gwendolyn, the eldest meets the mysterious Mr Steele. In London, Dara meets Michael Brogan.

Lots of intrigue and action to keep us on our toes.
With the dueling points of view, I was unsure who the main heroine was for quite a while, but this is Dara's story.

Elise, the youngest sister's story is set up in the last chapter for the next installment.

I really like Cathy Maxwell so I was so excited to read this! The beginning is sister Gwendolyn's POV and is a great intro to her storyline, and definitely had me eager for their book because wow, the chemistry between Gwendolyn and Steele is HAWT.

Then the story turns to our heroine Dara and her hero, Michael. Dara is the "boring" middle sister sandwiched between two beauties: Gwen who is the older, calm and collected sister and Elise, the youngest, blondest, most self-absorbed sister. Dara is kind of the ringleader of the group and is very bossy and funny. But a love triangle quickly develops between her and Elise and what I thought was going to just be a light, fun book got a little heavy in the middle. There is also a suspense subplot that involves murder and it kinda felt like it came out of left field. If you like a little mysterious suspense action with your romance, you will love this.

Once they have their HEA, they are beyond adorable together, there is a lot of kissing noses and pulling each other into rooms to smooch each other, and whispering - the newlywed phase looks very very good on them. The sex scenes are brief and not too steamy but you can definitely feel the love between these two.

This was a good, solid historical. Was it as fun and funny as I like? No. Did the story kinda veer around rather than focusing solidly on the romance? Yeah. But in the end, you have a tale of three unique sisters, and all the complications involved with sisterhood.

Dara is a wonderful heroine, very well fleshed out, and Michael is also well crafted, you really understand these two by the end of the book. And while Elise ends up seeming like a melodramatic vain baby, her epilogue cliffhanger is SO exciting, I cannot wait to read her transformation arc!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This is the start of a trilogy involving three Irish sisters Gwendolyn, Dara and Elise who after their father disappears they have to now fend for themselves and Dara the middle sister hatches a daring plan to get the sisters with their Aunt away from their unscrupulous cousin and to London to see use their looks and wits to marry Dukes. It looks like at least the first part of actually getting invited to society gathering and being declared “incomparables” of the Season is a good start to getting the attention of Dukes and Lords that they need to marry to be solvent. Dara’s plans are challenged by Michael Brogan who is a politician and Irish which is not what she is looking for herself or her sisters but she can’t help but be attracted to him even though at first he seems to like her sister Elise more than her. This was a good start to the trilogy and I can’t wait to see what happens with Elise who the next book will be about.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

I love Cathy Maxwell's books, and I was really excited to receive A Kiss in the Moonlight as an ARC. Being a huge fan of her writing and loving each new series more than the one before, I had high hopes for this new series and I was not disappointed! A Kiss in the Moonlight is fantastic!
A Kiss in the Moonlight is a great read. It has a lot of themes that I love-- sisters against the world; enemies-to-lovers; men unafraid of women's voices; and strong women. The gambler's sisters are oldest Gwendolyn, middle Dara (the heroine in this one and youngest Elise. Even though Dara is the middle sister, she is the planner of the three and feels responsible to the other two. Gwendolyn is the responsible one who does the work for Dara's plans, and Elise is doted and babied, which causes problems later on. It is a great set-up, and while baby sister Elise may seem spoiled and irritating, Cathy Maxwell does a great job in making those archetypal characters redeemable and for the reader to feel empathy for. In another series there is a similar type of character who I hated in her sister's book, but by her book I loved her so I am super excited for the reset of the series!
I really adored Michael and Dara and they had great chemistry together. I loved the dialogue, it was funny, poignant and so sweet! I just adored them together. Their romance and vulnerabilities were really well written and was just wonderful to read. The story is really well-written, clear and perfect amount of will they/won't they.
If I had one thing that I would have liked even more in this book, it would be to be a bit longer and have more of Michael and Dara's interactions together. I felt like since the series didn't start with her sister Gwendolyn, but she was the oldest sister and some of the buildup starts with her, it seemed like more of the book came from her and who seems like will be her romantic interest's point of view. I would definitely love to read a few more chapters of Michael and Dara settling in and the HEA!
All in all, this is a fantastic new book from Cathy Maxwell and I wholeheartedly recommend to HR fans. I can't wait for the next one!

This is my first Cathy Maxwell book & I wasn't disappointed. I do have mixed feelings about it though. It was a very sweet, if somewhat heart-wrenching romance - which I almost always love (as long as it's not totally depressing). Will definitely read another one from her.

I absolutely loved this book! It was my first time reading anything from this author but it won’t be my last. The story is about 3 sisters who want to find Dukes to marry before their guardian chooses a husband for them. I found the dialogue witty and you could feel the chemistry between the couple. I’m anxiously awaiting to read the next book!

This was a great regency read, thanks to netgalley for the ARC! This doesn’t influence my review. I loved the main characters and the romance was great! The sisters were such a mood and the FMC was so scheming. I don’t like the double POV though.

I liked this story! Three sisters are trying to make it in London. All three have a story but Dara’s takes the lead and she was a complex character. I was confused about who the heroine would be at first, but it was finally revealed around 30%. Dara had to take on the role of mothering her two sisters and was meddlesome at times. She tried to put their needs before her own. But that didn’t stop her from getting entangled in a mild love triangle. It provided some angst but I believed Michael and trusted his choice. I felt so badly for Elise - I was kind of on her side and hope she gets her hea too!

It's been said that historical romance, especially regency-era historical romance, is a form of fantasy literature where the world-building has already happened, with established rules and practices agreed upon by authors and readers in advance. The predictability of regency romance is comforting, but it's refreshing when an author brings something different to a story, as Cathy Maxwell does in A Kiss in the Moonlight.

While this story has the oft-seen scenario of young women in London seeking success on the Marriage Mart, this story follows three impoverished, Irish young women who are a breath away from being married off by a greedy cousin. The daughters of a sea captain turned gambler who is presumed dead fund their trip to London by betting at the faro table in a Dublin gambling hell. They are "gentlewomen," but they have no connections and none of the material goods expected of women participating in the Season. Once in London, they experience the ups and downs of society, being on the outs, then in, out again, and then in one more time. Each sister is unique and interesting, but a chaperone aunt, staff, and several suiters become interesting secondary characters as the story unfolds. Another refreshing aspect of the story: there is an embezzlement plot that involves one of the suiters and the last third of the book includes thwarting the plot.

In this book, the middle sister, Dara, finds her match, but the oldest and youngest, Gwendolyn and Elise, are essential to the story. This is also a little different, as many romance series follow siblings, but most have the non-lead characters fall into the background. This is a story of all three sisters and while there is a happily ever after for Dara, Elise is left devastated and the epilogue includes a cliffhanger for her story. I'm not sure how Dara and Gwendolyn will be included in the next installment, but I'm eager to read it!

I always liked Cathy Maxwell’s books. This is a classic tale of a woman, Dara, hatching a plan to get her and her sisters away from their provincial Irish backwater and the pinchpenny relatives trying to pawn them off to a bunch of distasteful oafish suitors. They are off to the Marriage Mart in London.

At their first ball in London the sisters are introduced to Michael, a Member of Parliament but definitely not a Duke. Worse, he’s an Irishman like them. To thwart his obvious interest in her little sister Dara outmaneuvers his attempts to court the gorgeous Elise. But the tables are turned as Michael and Dara start to fall for one another.

Dara is a wonderful heroine. She guards and guides her sisters. She is fierce in her protectiveness. Always looking out for her sisters, she is plucky and admirably crafty. She’s also a bit controlling as a result. But things begin to go awry as she continues to fall for Elise’s object of desire, Michael.

Dara knows a highborn gentleman is necessary to get them out of genteel poverty and to give them a chance at self-determination. She just can’t risk less and sacrifice her goals. She may be naive in some ways but not in that desire. She forces Michael to realize that women trading on their looks in the Marriage Mart are no different than most men seeking the most beautiful, the one who inspires lust. She’s great! But she is also not fool enough to not realize that she is deeply attracted to Michael herself and that will likely cause hurt and a rift between her and her younger sister, Elise. She resists.

But Michael won’t be fobbed off so easily. He admires her busy, intelligent, intriguing mind. Michael is a rising star, a liberal, even at times a radical, MP. He is investigating a group suspected of embezzling thousands of pounds from the War Office. And his interest begins to turn from the amazingly gorgeous Elise and toward Dara. We like him the more for it.

Even the secondary characters, the sisters, are well drawn. Elise could easily be written as a caricatured willful bratty younger sister. But Maxwell doesn’t take that shortcut. Elise is redeemed in many scenes such as when she yells at Dara that rather than Simpering Over Callers one afternoon she is going to a salon because she has to have some outlet that allows her To Think. Granted she’s also looking for Michael on whom she has a crush. But still. The third sister Gwendolyn would rather take that afternoon to read. She is weary of the simpering and is willing to call her dear sister out for both her hypocrisies and for trying to keep such a tight rein on herself and Elise.

Most satisfyingly there are brilliant teasers both at the end and at the beginning (unusual) for what is to come in Gwendolyn and Elise’s tales. What fun this trilogy will be. I would highly recommend this to our library patrons.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.