I always love the author's book and this one was no surprise in that department.

House parties are a common setting in Regency novels, but this one's different: the party provides the perfect excuse for Alicia and Lucas to perform their work. They have both been hired separately to evaluate collections of antiques that could prove pivotal for each own's businesses. Of course, they recognize each other and know what they're really there for, even if the other guests are ignorant of the true reasons.

I liked how this premise set up the perfect setting for Alicia and Lucas to spend time together, appreciate the other's talents, and develop a friendship that only grows. The antiquities and forgery aspects were truly interesting, as it was the way Alicia and Lucas discovered what was going on.

Highly recommend this one. You don't have to read the series in order but it adds to the enjoyment.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

In this clean regency story, Olivia and Lucas are rival antique dealers competing, albeit undercover, for a large chinoiserie porcelain collection commission. They both arrive to a large house party and discover a few strange things about the collection in question. They team up to solve the mystery, and find they enjoy one another's company more than expected in the process.

I've read several of Sarah Ladd's books, my favorites being The Heiress of Winterwood, and In the Shelter of Hollythorne House. Her books, including this title, are usually clean regency historical fiction storylines with a mix of mystery and chaste romance. I enjoy the authentic historical details she always adds into her books, and her atmospheric wording.

Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. The first half of the book had scant plot development, and the pacing of the narrative structure felt really off and meandering. It was hard to remember all the names of the characters at the house party, and in the end it felt like too many people and not enough depth for anyone.

I didn't connect to the FMC or MMC, but I liked the fact that neither one was super-rich, which is frequently a regency plot line. The FMC and MMC were both likable characters, I just wished I could have connected to them more. I've never read a book about antiques before, and I appreciate that the author uses new ideas in her storylines.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Cloverton Charade" is a romance set in 1818 in England. Olivia's father taught her to be a competent antiquities dealer. But when he died, he left the entire business to his partner, her uncle, and she's now dependent on him. He resents her superior knowledge and won't even consider her as an employee of the business. When a recent widow asks Olivia to secretly assess her personal antiquities collection, Olivia hopes she'll prove her value and be allowed into the business. She has no desire to marry, just travel the world doing antiquities business (which, frankly, was an unrealistic hope considering the time period, even if she might be accepted locally).

I found it odd that Olivia's father left nothing for his daughters and that the rich man who died with at last two estates didn't leave anything for his wife. Usually the rich left the widow at least an allowance and a place to live for her lifetime, but this one basically gave everything (even unentailed property) to a nephew that he knew would have to be forced to promise to take care of the widow. This neglect of the men to provide for their women in their wills left me feeling like this was a fantasy rather than historical, but the story was generally enjoyable.

Lucas appreciated Olivia's knowledge and asked to consult with her. She liked feeling like she was appreciated for who she was and for her knowledge. He supported her goals and admired her beauty. Along the way, he uncovered a bunch of counterfeits in the antiquities he evaluated, and she helped uncover who was replacing the true items with fakes. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this not-very-historical romance.

A great book about 2 protagonists in the world of antiquities who come together at Cloverton unexpectedly.

Olivia and Averys family had a falling out which put them at odds with each other. They are both trying to make their name I the world of antiquities. They work together to uncover the mystery around fakes at Cloverton.

A clean historical read, with some intrigue, but falls short on the development of the romance.

I went back-and-forth between giving this four stars and five stars. It was so very well written. There were many characters who were very well drawn and realistic for the times. There was very interesting and detailed information about the field of antiquities, and how various aspects of it worked. And there definitely was an intriguing mystery.

The two main characters, Lucas and Alicia, have some history from their childhood and teen years when their fathers were partners, but had a bad falling out.

They both wind up at a house party where they have been invited as guests who are also there to evaluate the valuable artifacts. Lucas is there on the invitation of the new heir and owner of the house. Alicia is there under the auspices of the aunt whose husband was the primary collector of everything and who wants to ensure that her own private artifacts are not claimed by her nephew.

Both Lucas and Alicia are shocked to see one another there, but they keep the knowledge of their former acquaintance private. They are both likable characters and, as they become aware of some counterfeit pieces, they begin to work together to resolve the mystery.

As others have said, this particular story seems to be more an historical fiction and less a romance. In fact, the romance didn’t really begin to develop until very near the end of the book. However, it was a very well written and interesting book, and I would rate it somewhere between four and five stars.

I was thankful to receive an ARC copy of this from NetGalley, and all the opinions above are my own.

A book by Sarah Ladd never disappoints and this one is no exception. The writing is excellent and the storyline is interesting. I would sometimes get lost in all the antiquities descriptions but it is still very interesting. I loved the mystery and romance that was included in this story as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I usually enjoy Ladd's stories, but I struggled with this one. It didn't feel like true Christian fiction; it's just a clean story. I hate instant love stories: barely together the whole book, but in love at the end. I liked Olivia - she's a good heroine. Overall the story seems a bit oddly paced and I had a hard time connecting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wanting to become THE antiques dealer she knows she is she accepts an appraisal that set forth a future that may not have the consequences she desires. He is trying to set free a reputation not of his making. Can they together solve the mystery?
I really liked this novel. it has a strong woman trying to make it in a mans world even up against her own uncle. Add. Little romance and you have a sure fire way to win over a crowd, or a reader.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

First - thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction this ARC of The Cloverton Charade.

Great little series who a bit of a who dunnit feel. I really like the characters and how they grew in their friendship despite an uncomfortable situation.

I did see some foreshadowing for a bit in the middle - no give away - but was pleased with gen novel from start to finish. I nice cozy read.

I enjoy Sarah E Ladd’s works and have read a number of her books already

I just reviewed The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd. #TheClovertonCharade #NetGalley

3.5/4
I definitely appreciate the author's careful research into the terms and antiques involved in this story, it tends to be glaringly obvious when they don't, and in this case it felt like the knowledge was genuine.

If I had to pick a few bones, the length/pacing occasionally felt long and a bit dragged at times. I would have also like to have spent more time building the relationship between Lucas and Olivia. It felt a bit like we just needed to accept them as a couple over believing it or watching it grow.

Overall an enjoyable read even though I'm more of an open door romance reader 😀

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

In this third installment of the Houses of Yorkshire series, the lovely Olivia Brannon's unconventional interest in antiquities, developed through her father's business, convinces her to accept an invitation that could change her future forever - the chance to evaluate a private collection housed at Cloverton Hall. She arrives to find that Lucas Avery, who was once an old friend but is now her adversary, has his own antiquities work at Cloverton that put her efforts at risk. When the two of them stumble upon a dangerous plot, they must decide whether to risk their future by working together to uncover the truth.

This book combines swoony romance, fascinating history, and fabulous character-building, all in one cozy mystery package. I highly recommend it!

Olivia Brannon is a passionate expert in the field of antiquities. But as a woman in regency England, she is held back from pursuing her dream to be a respected antiquities broker, while both propriety and a lack of fortune prevent her from traveling to distant lands as she also desires.

An underappreciated resource in the antiquities business her uncle inherited from her father, Olivia jumps when a rare opportunity comes her way. The widow of a longtime client of her father’s desires her collection to be appraised, but because her husband’s estate was entailed to a nephew, it needs to be under the guise of entertaining a house guest for a country party. Agnes Milton hires Olivia, even going so far as to furnish her with a posh wardrobe for the ruse.

At Cloverton Hall, however, Olivia encounters much more than she expects. One thing is the shallow, snobbish attitude of the other young women at the party, rivals in the ‘game’ of the marriage market. And rather than quietly fade into the background, Olivia’s unexpected presence and her lack of typical ladies’ pursuits makes her more intriguing to all. Including Lucas Avery, son of her father’s business rival and former friend. Both Lucas and Olivia are shocked to see each other again and both come bearing secrets, for Lucas has been hired by the nephew, Wainbridge, to appraise his uncle’s collection. When Lucas and Olivia discover counterfeit pieces, it sets in motion unexpected events that draw them closer to each other and to discovering the truth.

Olivia’s character was refreshingly real and stood up for herself and her ideals firmly but quietly, which I loved. I enjoyed this book very much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Overall the story was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I just had a hard time connecting with the story at times. Sometimes it took its times but then it made other parts short lived and details sparse. Wish there had been more focus on Lucas and Olivia. I feel like it was insta love at the end of the book vibes because their encounters were so brief prior to. I was also disappointed that it is listed as Christian fiction on goodreads yet there wasn't an ounce of such in the book outside of closed door and clean language, it was just stated somebody cursed with no curse word. Also there was a lot of focus on alcohol intake and observation of such by the mfc as she didn't know what to make of dealing with talking to intoxicated people. It just felt unnecessary. Overall my favorite in this Trilogy was as they were presented. One being my favorite "The Letter From Briarton Park"
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read. This is my honest opinion.

This is a great read!
This story shows how difficult it was for women to use their talents outside of the home along with intriguing details of how a person’s priceless collections would be verified, recorded, and sold.
There is intrigue as the question becomes who is supplementing fake pottery for the real items.
The main characters are well formed and the storyline is great!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Wow! How I love Sarah Ladd's books! I have loved them for a number of years, and this one does not disappoint!

Olivia was brought up to understand antiquities, but alas, she is female. When her father dies, her uncle takes over and treats her as a second place citizen.

Lucas was raised in a similar fashion, except he gains the business after his father fell into disgrace.

As these two renew their friendship during a house party, while working for competing clients, things change. When counterfeit pottery is found, things get more involved. Can the find the thieves and build a new life together?

Can love conquer and thieves be caught?

The Cloverton Charade was an historical romance with a fun premise. As far as the characters were concerned, I felt Alicia came across as more well rounded than Lucas; I felt we got deeper into her personality than his, whereas I would have liked a little more balance. In addition, their romance seemed a little sudden, with marriage proposed and accepted almost out of the blue after only the briefest of courtships. However, the story was entertaining and moved at a good pace throughout, and overall it was a pleasing read that I can recommend to fans of historical romance who enjoy a rivals-to-lovers twist. I am giving it four stars.

"Today was the day Olivia's entire life was going to change. It was the anticipation of something new-the anticipation of an adventure"
Olivia Brannon and Lucas Avery, whose father's were once partners in an antiquities business, reunite in this intriguing story of mystery and suspense. Olivia and Lucas, who are now antiquarians, are hired to make assessments of rare collections individually owned by the widow of Charlton Hall and the new heir to the estate. What evolves is a suspenseful game of charades and intrigue that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a very enjoyable read. The story was very interesting and I finished it in a day. The romance was perfectly done. I would highly recommend this book!

I’m a bit torn on how to rate this book. I liked it very much. The antiquities storyline was interesting, and I always appreciate that Ladd writes about characters who work, instead of focusing exclusively on the aristocracy. I enjoy learning more about what life was like for “normal” people. Olivia was a wonderful heroine—smart, ambitious, and brave. I appreciated her forthrightness and determination. She was the type of character I really root for.

What kept this from being a five star read for me is that this felt more like historical fiction or mystery, as opposed to historical romance. Ladd’s books typically offer a blend of mystery/suspense and romance, but I felt like this book tipped more to mystery than romance. At times, the romance felt like a little bit of an afterthought, and they moved very quickly to marriage. I know the characters had known each other since childhood, but they did not speak for years. The marriage felt very rushed; I would have liked to see the relationship build more.

Having said that, the book was still highly enjoyable, and I recommend it. Just know that the romance isn’t necessarily the focal point of this book. Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was such a fun mystery romance novel! The ensemble of characters were all so interesting and varied and I really enjoyed seeing Olivia grow in her own estimation of herself throughout the story. I also loved that there was only openness and honesty between Olivia and Lucas and that the betrayals happened with other characters. The antiquities storyline really drew me in and I had a great time reading it!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in a exchange for a fair and honest review.