Sophia thinks she's escaped the clutches of her tyrannical cousins when she comes to be companion to the Duchess of Cuttyngham, even if it's under strange circumstances. But when her employer makes her escape to Brussels and her family pursues her to her new home, Sophia is forced to turn to the icy but beguiling Earl of Frostbrook for help.

This is the third book in The Duel series, which follows the fallout of the Duke of Cuttyngham's death in a duel on the brink of Waterloo. Though the leads in this book are more tangentially tangled up in the overarching plot than those of the other books, the series should definitely been read in order.

I'd been looking forward to Sophia's book for a little while now - her setup as Giles's not-quite-fiancée and her prickly character promised an interesting story. While her romantic past is somewhat shafted in the book itself, I still enjoyed her dynamic with the closed-off Frostbrook, and how they were both able to soften and open up to each other.

However, while I did enjoy the subplot of Sophia's cousins, it was a little predictable - I've seen that inheritance grab plenty of times before! That the main characters are on the outer edges of the duel plot also meant that I felt like this book didn't really move the plot forward much beyond briefly introducing a new character who we learn much more about in the final book.

I read this book and I have to say that I was very fascinated with it. The direction of the story is not at all of what I anticipated for how the main characters were to come together. My favorite without a doubt is Aaron Loman, Earl of Frostbrook. The name alone sounds intimidating and intriguing. I love that. I admit that I was rather confused as to who was to be Sophia’s love interest. There are so many characters at the beginning that had connections to one or the other. I had to read read the page just to understand the connections. Eventually later in the book I was able to start to read the shaping of Frostbook and Sophia’s relationship. There the story transforms to one of romance and passion. I give this story two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
#Deserted #Netgally #Goodreads #Bookbub

She Was Abandoned, But Love Would Find Her

It seemed that everyone had abandoned Sophia, but love found her, anyway. When a cousin took her into his home, she thought she had found a family. However, they used her as a servant instead. When a duchess rescued her from that fate to become her companion, she thought she found security. However, the duchess left her, too. One man she thought she lost would appear again in her life. He was a man she kissed, entirely by accident, and now, he was back in her life. Sophia would become involved in a pretend engagement with the Earl of Frostbrook. Would the pretend engagement between Sophia and her Earl turn into a real one? First, the lady must survive a dangerous kidnapping. Who kidnapped her, and why? Would the lady save herself, or would she need a hero? I enjoyed this entertaining historical romance and would recommend it.

Another very fun book by Mary Lancaster. I was delighted with the continuation of the characters and their story. I can't wait for the next installment!

This is Book 3 of intriguing and captivating series, The Duel. If you haven't read the previous books, I would definitely recommend doing so before starting this one, as the mystery of the death of the late Duke of Cuttyngham is continued in this installment. After Sophia's father passed, she lived with her cousins, who essentially treated her as a servant. She escaped her family's clutches and became companion to the late Duke's wife. But when her family finds her and have come to take her back and keep her under their control, she will need the help of the late Duke's second, the cold and haughty Aaron, Earl of Frostbrook. She and Aaron met months ago when Aaron had too much to drink one night and kissed her. Aaron is actively trying to avoid his mother's attempts at finding him a bride, and he thinks Sophia is just the woman to help him. She is witty, intelligent, and not afraid to stand up to him, so he puts a plan in motion to outwit his mother. He invites Sophia to his mother's house party, playing the part of his betrothed. Things escalate when the end up in Brussels, due to one of her cousins' machinations.
This was a very well-written story with an intriguing plot that captured my attention from the start and kept me turning the pages, anxious to see what happens next. Both Aaron and Sophia are strong-minded people and made an excellent pair and I enjoyed their interactions and dialogue. This is an excellent addition and I can't wait to continue the series with the next one.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The mystery of the late Duke of Cuttyngham's death in a duel has yet to be solved. Sophia Wallace was able to get away from her family where she was forced to be a an unpaid servant. Now she is a companion to the late Duke's wife. It was inevitable that she meet the man who gave her a kiss one night six months ago. What follows is a passionate relationship pretending to be the Earl of Frostbrook's betrothed. Only the more they are together as a united front, the more they find they want the betrothal to be real. But her family refuses to take no as her answer to go back into their clutches. The heart of the Earl who hides behind the mask must let it melt to win her heart. A series I recommend reading in order with characters continuing in each book. The backdrop of Napoleon still at war. An excellent series that never stops looking for answers. Some light descriptive open bedroom.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Deserted, which is book three in the series, follows Sophia and Aaron, the Earl of Frostbrook as they try to uncover more about the death of the Duke of Cuttyngs. Sophia was once betrothed to Major Giles Butler, who shot the duke whilst Aaron, acted as the duke’s second. As the gunshot wound to the duke should not have been fatal, Aaron and Sophia work together to uncover the identity of the woman who viewed the duel and may have more information to help Giles’ case. Sophia also finds herself caught up in her cousin William’s plot to return her to his family, to which Aaron is determined to extricate her from. Meanwhile Aaron is captivated by Sophia, which throws him, especially as he has spent a lifetime avoid the matchmaking mothers of the ton.
I so enjoyed the characters of Aaron and Sophia, who are both strong minded people. Their past stories are gradually told throughout their time together. Whilst Aaron is thought to be the rake, his family has made him who he is. Meanwhile Sophia is straightforward and feisty, which Aaron finds refreshing. The plot is well paced and at the same time, allows for the relationship between them, to grow. Whilst this is a standalone book, I do feel that reading the previous books will help explain the events behind the duel. An enjoyable romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Part of a series, this novel picks up the quest to find the missing woman who witnessed the duel that appeared to cause the death of the Duke of Cuttyngham. Sophia has managed to escape her overbearing and cruel family members, who will take whatever measures they can to get her back under their control, but she has a champion in the cold and somewhat austere Earl of Frostbrook. Aaron has spent his adult life avoiding his mother's machinations to have him marry a woman of her choice, thereby earning him the moniker of Frost. However, in Sophia, he finds a woman who is not afraid to stand up to him, is witty, and to some degree, self-sufficient. Thinking to outwit his mother, Aaron invites Sophia to his mother's house party, but unfortunately, her relatives are somehow included in the mix. The plot takes off at a rapid pace bringing all the main players once again to Brussels where Wellington is preparing for the face-off with Bonaparte. Here Aaron and Sophia's story reaches its climax and comes to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Deserted
by Mary Lancaster

I have fallen in love with Mary Lancaster. Deserted, tells the story of Aaron, the Earl of Frostbrook and Miss Sophia Wallace and their very intense and beautifully woven love story. After the death of her father Sophia ends up being taken in by her cousins, who treat her like a servant, on one such occasion she meets our hero Aaron.

This story is wonderfully written and the plot keeps you in suspense. These days I find so many stories predictable but I'm happy to say this plot while not new was written in a way that kept me riveted. I loved prickly Sophia, so amazing with her sharp words and comebacks and enjoyed reading along as Sophia worked through Aaron's layers. Their love story was well paced and had some swoon . I plan to read the others.

I received a copy for an honest review.

Sophia has been deserted yet again. This time at least she is in a safe place. She hopes.
The Earl of Frostbrook protects himself with a very haughty appearance. Luckily for our heroine, that is a smoke screen.
This historical romance is a grand adventure filled with secrets and lies. It is part of a series that is much better read in order, but each book could be read alone. There are all linked by one pivotal event. All the characters are unusual and good fun. There is obviously at least one more person to have his own story told. I look forward to reading it.

This is book 3 of The Duel series and it just doesn’t get any better than this! What a thrill ride Sophie goes through! It was hard reading about the bully tactics her family did to her, but see her get up, dust herself off and keep going is a testimony of strength and endurance. I loved how the author described Aaron and his path to falling in love. The shenanigans they pulled on his mom was priceless, the trap they set for her family was hilarious and the fright Sophie goes through was very emotional. All are signs of a good novel when so many emotions are put into play! Hopefully, the clues in this book will lead to the end of the mystery of the Duke’s death will finally be revealed in the next book !

I received this ARC copy for free and these are my own opinions.

Sophia, once betrothed to Major Giles Butler, who shot the Duke of Cuttyngham in a duel, has become the companion of the widowed duchess. In theory, at least. But when the duchess also abandons Sophia at Cuttyngs, her past catches up with her in the shape of her bullying cousins, The Wests. Sophia finds herself indebted to the late duke’s second, the haughty Aaron Earl of Frostbrook, whom she remembers only too well from a previous shocking, and secretly pleasurable, encounter. Frost, pursued by every matchmaking mama and hounded by his own mother to accept a bride of her choosing, decides to play a trick on them all by producing his own pretend engagement to the beautiful but prickly Sophia. Their charade at his mother’s country house party sets off a string of unforeseen events
The third book in the series & I’d recommend reading in order as there is the strong thread of the duel & it's consequences going through the books. Another engrossing, enthralling read I loved both Sophia, who I thought was going to become a duchess! she's strong, courageous & used to looking out for herself & Aaron who was a revelation the man was nothing like the persona he gave to society. I loved how Sophia came to love Aaron not the title. As well as a lovely love story, there’s deceit, kidnapping & a chase to the continent. Roll on book four
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is a well written, the plot is intricate and keeps you in suspense. It is not at all predictable and kept me riveted. The character's were well written but the books do need to be read in order as an intriguing mystery concerning the duel in book 1 and the death of the Duke of Cuttyngham is interwoven throughout all the books in the series. Great read can't wait for the last book to see the ending of the mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sophia has been treated as a Cinderella type of drudge by her cousins and is happy to escape and be her grace's companion. Only the duchess has gone away with her new lover and Sophia's cousins contact her again. Lord Frostbrook intervenes and Sophia finds herself on an adventure with him. But her cousin does not give up and there is some danger to come. I liked the dialogue and the book was a quick, entertaining read that kept my interest. The romance stands alone but the series has some overlapping backstory and an overarching mystery subplot that does not get resolved here so this would be more enjoyable read in a series.
Steam level: a short wedding night scene
I received a netgalley copy and this is a voluntary review.

Mary Lancaster did something that I have not experienced often with romance novels, she surprised me. I was so sure that Sophia was going to end up with Victor. What a delight it was to get this story instead (and of course now I wait in eager anticipation to find out what does happen with Victor). Deserted is definitely the perfect title for this story and Sophia's life in general. It was so nice to see this woman who had been left with no friends and no one to help her for so long surrounded by a group of practical strangers willing to help her in any way they could. I loved the back-and-forth between her and Aaron - he was definitely right in his statement about never being bored with her as his wife. I was not at all a fan of Aaron's mother - even after learning how wrong she had been about the Wests she still couldn't find it in herself to be kind to Sophia or to offer even the smallest of apologies for how she treated her. The cousins were pretty repulsive, my only disappointment with them was that I did not get to know the full extent of their suffering after the events of this story. It's also been really interesting how each book so far has added a little to solving the mystery surrounding the former Duke's death. I am so looking forward to seeing how that mystery is resolved as well. Overall, this was a great addition to the series and can't wait to find out how everything is resolved in the next book!

5 stars

This intriguing series is definitely worth a read. This is the third book and though I think you could read it as a standalone you will get so much more from reading the others. This story concentrates on the Duke's second, Aaron Lord Frostbrook and Sophia, the ex-fiancee of the man who killed the duke in the duel. There's something fishy with the duel and the mystery moves on a little bit as we learn the identity of the female watcher. Sophia has escaped her horrible cousins once but now they are making moves to get her back under their control. Aaron first meets Sophia when he's had too much to drink and they kiss. Sophia doesn't suffer fools lightly and has a sharp witty retort that he finds intriguing. Aaron's mother is trying to force a betrothal so Aaron persuades Sophia to play the part of his betrothed, unfortunately the catty cousin is also present. Due to cosuin William's machinations they end up in Brussels and the ex-Duchess and her friends help out our couple. Loved the denouement when Sophia stands up to William. Eagerly awaitng book 4. I loev Mary's work :)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mysteries unravel as love burns & unfurls so deliciously!
Continuing delightfully on with the underlining solving of the mystery surrounding the loathsome, late, Duke of Cuttyngham's duel that feeds into the something-not-quite-right about his death intrigue, another piece of the puzzle teasingly slots into place, that will no doubt prove vital and confirm all our suspicions in the last, highly anticipated, book when all is hopefully untangled and revealed. As we gratifyingly focus on two past subcharacters finally getting their time in the spot light and shining ever brighter as a result.
I knew if given the chance I was going to love Frostbrook and being able to dig beneath that cold-but-instinctively-you-can't-help-but-be-drawn-to-me facade he radiated so eloquently, made the minute reveal and emergence of Aaron, all the more rewarding. Especially, when he tried so hard to avoid Sophia's prickles, bring out the passionate women beneath and be the White Knight of fantasy she so desperately needed to rush in and rescue her from drudgery and harm.
An icy weariness freezes over, the aptly named, Frostbrook's dazzling charm, which makes the brief glimpses that shine and thaw the cold mask he adorns, to slowly reveal the deeply fun, family loving, protector that is Aaron, all the more potent. As just as lonely, half-defiant and half-proud, Sophia, who from all intents and purposes should be brimming with resentment from being repeatedly mistreated, abandoned and disregarded, has amiably and admirably grown with such a core of strength, resilience and a beguiling lack of artifice, that you can't help but love her and deeply want her to find true love and happiness. That together they just glow and compel you to keep reading as they muddle through mystery entwining roads of clue searching, attraction shimmering chemistry, frustratingly heinous scheming and a fake betrothal as misunderstandings abound.
The direction of the plot that unfurls with a well paced array of unexpected twists, yet with an edge of predictability in their turns, allows their relationship to blossom with this integral feeling of rightness. That blooms with friendship and seeds sparks of want and yearning that make for an enjoyable emotionally steeped read in all its absorbing subtly.
I just loved that Aaron sees her as a puzzle that can't be boxed, as tantalising moments of bubbling jealousy highlights a connection that simmers and crackles with deeply thrumming attraction, born of surprise and fascination, that can't help but build and grow into an intriguing desire to get to the bottom of who they are, one scrummy and statisfying layer at a time.
A great addition to the series that builds up and hints beautifully at the last pairing in the series. If even secretly I'm still hoping George gets a look in too!
Love this author; love this series!

Gripping mysteries and growing passions define this wonderful work! From the outset, Mary Lancaster breathes intrigue into her characters with expertise. The twists and turns keep her readers engaged wanting to finish her book in one sitting.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Deserted: The Duel. Another fantastic finish, Mary.

So sweet, very captivating and entertaining! I couldn’t put it down, because I had to know how it would end!!

My first read from Mary Lancaster and I enjoyed it immensely.

Deserted, tells the story of Aaron, the Earl of Frostbrook and Miss Sophia Wallace and their very intense and beautifully woven love story. After the death of her father Sophia ends up being taken in by her cousins, who treat her like a servant, on one such occasion she meets our hero Aaron.

This story is wonderfully written, the plot is intricate and keeps you in suspense. These days I find so many stories predictable but I'm happy to say this plot while not new was written in a way that kept me riveted.

I loved prickly Sophia, so amazing with her sharp words and comebacks and enjoyed reading along as Sophia worked through Aaron's layers. Their love story was well paced and had some swoon worthy moments.

This unfortunately should not be read as a stand-alone (which was what I did) but I look forward to going back and reading the prequels. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel aswell, I loved the underlying mystery and can't wait to see more questions answered in the next instalment.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, opinions are my own.