Review of The Innkeeper's Daughter

I should have DNFed this book. Let’s start there. But I didn’t because I had the whole box set of the series and I was prepared to give it a chance in case the later books got better. (I will not be reading the later books).

My problems with this book ranged from systematic to pedantic. The romance is lacklustre and the mystery is non-existent, which means it failed the most important job of a romantic mystery. Not only was the mystery missing in a narrative sense (there is basically no investigation and the bits that are there are just. Stupid) but it was told in omniscient third person and the villain was literally revealed with a ‘villain cam’ roughly a third into the book. How did we know this was the villain? Well, he’s got “cold grey eyes” and “he speared [someone] with his arctic gaze” which prompts an “icy shiver,” then “the smile playing around his lips would have frozen the blood of a hardened criminal.” My eyes nearly rolled out of my head.

I straight up didn’t care about the romance. Both protagonists were frankly boring, with minimal tension between them.

As for the prose choices. Oh boy. We open to an unfortunate start, to the bad guy’s accent written out phonetically. This is a much-hated pet peeve of mine - using a working-class accent as a visual shorthand for cruelty. Eliza, the protagonist, even takes the time, while being accosted, to correct his pronunciation. It’s also really annoying to read!! There is also a prodigious overuse of grinning and chuckling. No one grins and chuckles this much, and it’s ALL the characters. In general, the pace of the prose is bogged down by details and descriptions that I just didn’t care about. Seriously, there are so many descriptions of clothing and home decor. I wouldn’t mind skimming through those if the rest of the book was good but *waves hands*.

I received a free copy of the whole Gentleman Spy Mysteries series from NetGalley, but as it most certainly doesn’t live up to the title, I shall not be reading and reviewing the other three books.

I’m really sad to say this is a DNF for me. I couldn’t make it through the first book. I’m not a prude by any stretch off the imagination, but this reads like erotica. Which would be totally fine if I was expecting it. I only made it 16% into the first book before I had to call it quits. This wouldn’t have been an issue if it was one or 2 steamy scenes, but at less than a quarter of the way through, I can see that’s not the case. This is obviously a me problem. I’m sure plenty of others wouldn’t mind it at all.

I wrote reviews for each book separately- all are copied and pasted here and the review is an average of all four.

The Innkeeper's Daughter

Although I went into this book knowing there was a sex trafficking element, I was still expecting something more along the lines of Outlander in terms of the mix of historical fiction and romance rather than basically a BDSM book, although to be fair to the author, she is generally sex positive and consent is a theme throughout the romance part at least. I wasn't offended or upset by the content, however this book might need more specific genre tagging on it on it for folks who are not expecting the BDSM elements. Readers should also be forewarned that there are also very explicit (and one flat out bizarre) descriptions of sexual assault in this book.

The main plot of The Innkeeper's Daughter is Eliza Broad, the abused daughter of an innkeeper who is now dead, escapes from being sold into marriage by her evil stepfather and then while fleeing is rescued by Henry March, an extremely wealthy and single Lord, who is a loving dad to his pre-teen daughter Emily whose mother fled when Emily was born for reasons related to the overall mystery that Henry is solving. Eliza and Henry then fall in love while Henry investigates a complex network of spies and sex traffickers who apparently also involve Eliza's abusers. This book takes place during the Regency period in England and it may have been influenced by Bridgerton although I have not read that series so am not sure how it compares otherwise.

The romance between Henry and Eliza was cheesy and felt more like someone's idea of a fairy tale rather than anything remotely plausible in real life. It seemed like it was written to be like #NotAllMen with some men as a fantasy of a perfect, understanding, gentleman as a contrast to the cartoonishly evil men who abuse women. I am not an expert on men of the Regency period however Henry seems far more progressive than even contemporary men which really took me out of the book.

I was extremely confused by the spy aspect because while Henry does in fact discover a ring of sex traffickers (run by someone who apparently was a traitor to England in the Napoleonic Wars? That I wasn't entirely clear on) there's also some underlying subplot about Henry's role in the House of Lords or something like that which literally did not make any sense as it was obscured by all of the horrific assaults and abuse he was uncovering. It was also strange how every single person in Henry's life seemed to be connected to this trafficking ring in some way.

Then after all of these terrible things happen Henry solves the mystery and saves the day and everyone is happy. Or are they? This is book number 1 in a set of 4. I am currently reading the second one which despite my concerns about this book, I am giving a chance primarily because this entire series was re-released on NetGalley. I look forward to judging the remaining books on their own merits and seeing how the series holds up in its entirety.

Many thanks to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.


The Gentleman's Daughter

The second in The Gentleman Spy mystery series is an improvement over the first one, however there was a pretty big lack of mystery here. The bulk of the story is about Sir Henry being in Brighton to find a proper wife and then his courtship of Lady Isabella who he must win over despite her past trauma. Eliza Broad from the first book is barely in this one (which is explained in the book) and the perspectives are split between Henry and Isabella with a few short sections from the perspective of Henry's daughter Emily.

The book contains an intro briefly recapping how the first book ended from the perspective of a minor character and then jumps ahead to three years later.

This one has a lot less gratuitous sexual assault as a plot device than the first one, however this still has descriptions of women that come across as "men writing women" even though a woman is in fact the author of this series. The romance is again very much a fairytale style romance with Henry being the most perfect gentleman ever and magically helping Isabella overcome her trauma in a way that is extremely implausible.

There is action in this book and the sex trafficking ring from the first book is being investigated still, however that takes a major backseat to the romance and the resolution is very anticlimactic.

I'm a little confused also about why this was titled "The Gentleman's Daughter" since it's only peripherally about Emily, but maybe it's because Henry is getting married so Emily can be properly introduced to society, although that doesn't actually occur at all within the story.

As noted in my review of the first book, this series was published in 2015 and has been re-released on NetGalley.

Many thanks to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.


The Memory of Her

Finally in the third installment of The Gentleman Spy Mysteries am I getting the actual cozy historical spy thriller that I was hoping for the entire time. I am glad I stuck with this series despite being unimpressed with the first one and finding the second one merely ok.

This book takes place at the same time as the second book, however this one centers on Eliza who is now separated from Henry and living on her own in London after he goes in search of a proper wife in Brighton. She is now an actual spy herself. Eliza is tasked for caring for another spy in their organization, Allen, who has been imprisoned and tortured in Crimea, and they have to outwit Russians and a French double agent who have followed Allen back to the UK.

This book was full of dramatic action, plot twists, and while there is a love story in it, the plot around the agents who are pursuing Allen and Eliza actually made sense and was easy to follow. There is a small tie in to the sex trafficking ring from previous books, however that doesn't really feature much in this.

Eliza seems like a fully fleshed out whole person finally rather than a damsel in distress which makes this seem like an entirely different series. The romance seems believable rather than a fairy tale and while people die, there is no gratuitous torture or sexual assault. I wish the author had found her footing earlier, but that doesn't completely negate the entire series.

This series was published in 2015 and has been re-released on NetGalley.

Many thanks to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.


The Spy's Daughter

The Spy's Daughter is the final installment of the Gentleman Spy Mysteries and neatly sums up most of the loose ends from the prior books. I didn't find this installment to be as compelling as the third one, but I found it a significant improvement over the first one and somewhat more interesting than the second one.

This book follows Emily March, the illegitimate daughter of Sir Henry March, and her quest to finally get married and introduced into proper society now that she is all grown up. The "golden god" Maximilian Warthon (Lord Didcomb) has caught her eye after rescuing her from various evil people affiliated with the sex trafficking ring from the prior books and unfortunately, while Max himself does not partake in the illegal activities and assaults, his Grandfather and associates do. In addition, Max's grandfather has a deep hatred for Henry that none of them can figure out.

The plot is primarily about Emily and Max falling in love while her father tries to prevent a marriage to protect her from Max's evil grandfather and his grandfather tries to prevent a marriage not only because of his hatred for Henry, but because he wants Max to participate in sex trafficking despite Max making it clear he finds that abhorrent.

There isn't much action until the very end which makes this book drag a little bit, however I appreciate that Emily, Eliza (who is in this book briefly), and other women in this are not written as two dimensional characters who need to be saved by a man which is how I felt about the earlier books. The plot twist at the very end which put a cap on a mystery stemming from the first book was something I did not see coming and was very interesting. However finally the characters do live happily ever after as this is the last installment of the series. It was an interesting and uneven journey, but I am glad I stuck through and read the entire thing.

This series was published in 2015 and has been re-released on NetGalley.

Many thanks to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.

Bianca M. Schwarz’s The Gentleman Spy Mysteries Box Set offers a captivating blend of Regency-era romance, intrigue, and dark secrets, delivering four books that are both rich in historical detail and packed with suspense. For fans of mystery, romance, and the era's refined social customs, this series provides a thoroughly engaging ride, centered around the enigmatic and capable Sir Henry March and the women who challenge him in more ways than one.

Book One: The Innkeeper’s Daughter
The series kicks off with The Innkeeper’s Daughter, where Sir Henry March, an agent of the Crown, embarks on a dangerous mission against a shadowy world of enemy agents and sex trafficking. Eliza Broad, his common-born mistress, proves to be more than a romantic interest—she’s a fierce and capable partner, equally invested in taking down those responsible for years of crime and misery. Schwarz does an excellent job of balancing dark, sinister elements with the blossoming romance between Sir Henry and Eliza, and the tension between their love and society’s expectations adds an extra layer of complexity. This first installment sets the tone for a series where romance and intrigue intertwine, with an edge that keeps readers on their toes.

Book Two: The Gentleman’s Daughter
In The Gentleman’s Daughter, Sir Henry faces an entirely new kind of challenge—finding a suitable wife to secure his illegitimate daughter Emily’s future in society. Enter Isabella, a woman equally reluctant to marry, with her own painful past to forget. Their fake courtship turns into something real, but danger is never far behind. The chemistry between Sir Henry and Isabella is palpable, and their journey is as much about trust as it is about navigating the treacherous social mores of the time. The continued presence of the enemy agents keeps the stakes high, offering not just a romance, but a thrilling ride filled with danger. The themes of vulnerability and recovery are well-handled, adding emotional depth to the romance.

Book Three: The Memory of Her
The third book, The Memory of Her, focuses on Sir Henry’s best friend, Allen Strathem, who is recovering from the trauma of war. The bond he forms with Eliza Broad—Sir Henry’s former mistress—creates an interesting dynamic, as they both carry the weight of past scars. This book offers a slightly different flavor, focusing more on the aftereffects of war and personal healing, while still maintaining the pulse of suspense with Allen’s mission to capture the men who tortured him. Their relationship is slower to develop but emotionally satisfying, and Schwarz does a commendable job exploring the darker side of human experience while still offering a romance that feels earned and genuine.

Book Four: The Spy’s Daughter
The final book, The Spy’s Daughter, brings Sir Henry’s daughter Emily into the spotlight as she tries to navigate society’s disdain for her illegitimacy. Emily’s character shines as a woman determined to carve out her own path, despite the barriers in her way. Her romance with Max Warthon, a man tied to her father’s enemies, is both thrilling and fraught with tension. Their whirlwind romance, complicated by Max’s connection to the dark forces that have long plagued Sir Henry, creates a perfect storm of intrigue and passion. The stakes are higher than ever, and the resolution ties together the lingering mysteries of the previous books in a satisfying and exciting conclusion.

Final Thoughts:
The Gentleman Spy Mysteries series offers a darkly romantic and suspenseful escape into the Regency era, where love and danger are always intertwined. Bianca M. Schwarz skillfully blends historical detail with the excitement of espionage and the complexities of love, all while giving readers richly developed characters who evolve over the course of the series. While the darker elements of trafficking, war trauma, and espionage may be unsettling for some readers, they are handled with care, adding gravity to the romance and giving the series a unique edge.

For those who enjoy romantic suspense in historical settings, this box set is a must-read. With its complex characters, engaging plotlines, and mix of passion and peril, it’s the perfect combination of heart-racing romance and page-turning intrigue.

What an absolute delight this series is! Historical fiction mystery with some romance and thrill mixed in? 4 books that complete the series all in one volume? SIGN ME UP! This was great fun and brought a smile to my face while reading. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a series that I picked up because I'm always interested in a book/series that can combine a mystery alongside interesting characters and when I read the summary of the first book, I was intrigued.

This series actually follows a core set of characters but the first two focus on Sir Henry March as the hero who happens to be at the center of the underlying mystery of the secret group that is causing trouble for Henry and those around him. In book one, Henry meets Eliza Broad (the innkeeper's daughter) as she is escaping her horrible stepfather and his disgusting plans. Having been beaten, Henry takes Eliza to his home to recover and they end up building a friendship...and eventually something more.

The spy piece of this series is interesting and Schwarz does a great job of keeping the thread going from one book to another even though the main characters change once you move past book 2.

I will say, the only thing I didn't love was that while I get the class differences didn't necessarily make it realistic and Scwarz did set the stage for it in book 1, I was disappointed to see how quickly Henry and Eliza were no longer together as of book 2 and it was difficult for me to get on board with him trying to build a relationship with another fmc (Isabella) in book 2. That's not to say there is anything wrong with Isabella, I just spent all of book one rooting for Henry and Eliza and all of a sudden they were no longer together. Additionally, it was hard to then get on board with Eliza and Allen...but not as much because in my mind, Henry was already moving on with Isabella.

Anyway, that said, I truly enjoyed this series. If you're looking for something that has not only a great story, but well developed characters, consider picking this one up. It is complete which means you can read them all back to back so no waiting from one to the next...which is always a good thing. I'll be looking at more from this author as the writing is well done and I have found that so far, her stories are ones that keep me interested and engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing | Central Avenue for this ARC! *The Gentleman Spy Mysteries Box Set* by Bianca M. Schwarz offers an engaging blend of Regency romance and mystery, perfect for fans of historical fiction. The series follows Sir Henry March, a spy working for the Crown, and his entanglements with the dark underworld of enemy agents while balancing romantic relationships. The collection contains four novels, each featuring a mix of suspense, espionage, and evolving relationships, including Henry's with his mistress Eliza, and later, his complicated courtship with Isabella.

Readers enjoy the richness of the Regency setting and the unfolding romances, though some felt the pacing and depth varied across the books. The third book, in particular, received praise for its well-crafted characters and storyline, while others found a few sections too focused on courtship rather than the central mystery. Overall, the set appeals to those who appreciate a mix of drama, intrigue, and romance set against a historical backdrop.

All in all, I think this was a lovely little box set which didn't take too much time to get through. The writing was good and the storylines were great. I wouldn't say that this is the next Pulitzer prize winner but I did really enjoy reading it. I felt like this was almost like a dark, mysterious version of Bridgerton. I did want a little more of the spy/mystery elements to the stories but that's maybe a personal preference to me. I'm sure other people probably really liked the "hero" of the books, Sir Henry, but I felt like he was a little one dimensional. Again, that might be because he is a "good" hero and I definitely like my heroes to be more of the morally grey persuasion as they feel more faceted and more human. However, this is a good read and I liked that the books were complete, I didn't have to wait for the next one.

I adored the premise of this book, but the storyline just fell short of the promise for me. I only managed to get through the first book in this collection, and here's the thing: I swoon and giggle at bedsheet-time as much as the average romance reader, but not when the relationships are rather awkward and half-formed. I found the characters rather clunky, in that they seem to be fulfilling a set mould rather than any real story-purpose. I really liked the world the author built, though!

A great series of Regency-era dark romantic, mystery books, all combined together in a convenient box set. You follow the characters, Sir Henry, Eliza, Isabelle, Emily and. Allen with intertwined emotional bonds, friendship and each with their own issues. To top it all, there's an villainous traff8cing group that needs to be thwarted.

Overall 1440+ pages of fairly entertain8ng stories

#TheGentlemanSpyMysteriesBoxSet #NetGalley.

This was a fun read but it started to drag out a bit. I did enjoy the semi-build up of the romance and the mystery in the plot. After book 2 I started to lose interest but forced through to finish.

This box set was such a good read. I loved the setting, mysteries, characters, and pretty much everything else about each of the stories. Sometimes the pace felt too slow, but overall, this set is perfect for a few laid-back nights with a good book by your side.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This series is perfect for fans of Bridgerton who enjoy a good mystery! I really like that all of the books were together in one set, I didn’t even have to pause my reading between books! I really enjoy regency era stories and I couldn’t get enough of the storylines and characters. These books are definitely worth checking out!

This was such a fun set of mysteries! Set in the regency era it's got a nice Sherlock Holmes feel to it a and was really entertaining .

The gentleman spy mystery series box set includes all four books in this series and it is really convenient to read all 4 stories in their suppesed order.

All in all, I would give this box set 3.5 stars, the book I liked better was the third, to which I would happily give 4 stars, but the other books, mostly number 2, left me a bit disappointed.

Moreover, I would have enjoyed the story more if the third book came before the second one in the box set.

Some characters I liked, Eliza most of all, but others (sir Henry) started out strong but fell flat in the end.

Some parts are too rich in descriptions of decorations or facts that add nothing to the story.

In book 2 the mystery/spy moment was relegated to the end of the book, with the first part all about courting and so on.

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

I did enjoy this but it wasn’t my favorite. I enjoyed the storylines and the characters. I just felt like the pacing was off. Still a good read.

The Gentleman Spy Mysteries Box Set wa such a fun Romantic Regency Mysteries series by Bianca M. Schwarz.
These books were phenomenal. Bianca has this incredible way of creating stories that entrap you into an imaginary world.
An engaging suspenseful Regency romance that I truly enjoyed.

Thank You NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Review of The Innkeeper's Daughter by Bianca M. Schwarz
* * * * *
A thrilling start to the series that has us following mystery and danger, but also a blooming friendship with the hope for something more in a world of class and station and power.

Sir Henry was used to surprises in his line of work, but Eliza was someone he never expected to come into his life. Rather dramatically as well. After she has escaped her abusive step-father from a force arrangement to a horrendous man - a man who has ties to a world so dark and depraved - she is new under his protection.
A wonderful union and friendship blooms. Henry has faced heartbreak before, with the actions of his first love leading to the birth of an illegitamate daughters, and an agreement with his family to make sure she enters society under the one person Henry needs in his life: a well-born wife.
As the friendship evolves during a race to save young women from monsters, avenge a friend who has suffered to the hands of them, and uncover others who assist those carrying out the evil, what will Henry and Eliza do when they face the music?

Loved Eliza and Henry's connection. The humour, the admiration, an easy bond. When it all escalates, just love how they easily go so well together. Even with the truth of their situation, they take it in stride and allow for another adventure to unfold. Henry is also a wonderful father to Emily, and has great friends and family at his side.
When secrets come out, over tea and in letters, I am left jaw dropped with the epic additional spice.
Several other characters I am interested and hoping to see in the rest of the series, both good and bad.


Review of The Gentleman's Daughter by Bianca M.Schwarz
* * * * *
We are left jaw dropped from the very first page as Sire Henry enters a new journey to carry out a promise and find something we all hoped he already had.

Sir Henry carries out his duties for the crown and once again stumbles upon horrible men in their wicked ways, leading right back to the Knights of the Snake Pit. As he tries to uncover the evil, his has tasked himself with a promise he must carry out for the sake of his daughter: find a wife to have Emily taken out into society.
He did not expect Isabella.
She has her own secrets too. Her own past. Her own demons.
Demons that are now coming back into her life the same time Sir Henry has made his entrance.
Can she accept and take a chance at happiness with Henry as her monster lurks around, along with Henry's former mistress still lingering in his heart as well as his own demons?

Wowzers! I was not expecting this!
I was full on happy that Henry and Eliza were going to be together, but it appears that they accepted their fates and found separate paths to happiness.
Love Isabella. She's strong, and already proving to be a great person for Emily to be looked after by.
We are left with a few surprises in the book that we will surely come across later in the series.


ARC Review of The Memory of Her by Bianca M. Schwarz
* * * * *
We are taken for an epic turn following Eliza, our heroine from book one, as she navigates her role in her new line of work...as well as finding love again and with a familiar face!

Allen survived thinking of her.
Eliza.
Three years ago he fell for the strong and beautiful mistress of his good friend, knowing he could not have her but kept her nonetheless close to his heart. When he is tortured and starved by cruel enemies, followed by a rescue, who of course comes to nurse him back to health?
The woman of his dreams, and hallucinations.
Eliza has excepted she needs to part ways with Henry, but is more than happy to tend to Allen. What she did not expect was to be attracted to him as she believed she previously thought. As her feelings change fromt friendship to something sweeter, she's had to multitask as the danger is not far.
The job is not over.

This romance was much sweeter and smoother than Eliza and Henry's story. Very mellow. Was hoping for some humour, considering how in book one Allen saved Eliza in such a comedic fashion, but it was all hearts and flowers. Not that it is bad.
Eliza and Allen both get their happy ending, and we are left with more evil to take down!


Review of The Spy's Daughter by Bianca M. Schwarz
* * * * *
The epic finally to this historical romance series as our wicked knights are taken on by our favourite group of spies, and our sweet Emily gets her time to shine in the spotlight.

Max is Emily's hero.
She cannot get him out of her head and is sure he is the one for her. As our darling girl steps out into society - finally - she enchants the ton and may have just gained the attention of the man she desires the most.
The man with connections to a horrible group of men with ties to a dispicable world. As their union and love grow, will the ties that hold him in the shadows start to affect Emily. With his horrendous grandfather spitting hatred and evil, the evil from Emily's own past, as well as the monsters currently lurking around them now, will their love finish before it has even begun?

A very testy union between these two? One epic finale!
It's all very sweet between these two, but there is certainly no smooth sailing...which is great because if there was not rockiness then we would not have the story when need from Max and Emily, along with the well celebrated previous characters of the series.
Love that Emily's cousin came back into this as he has been a big part in Emily's youth.
A great family has come together in the end to fight the final battle. Blood will spill. Lies will be lost. Brandy will be poured.

I honestly really enjoyed this set of books! I loved how the romance was more secondary to the mystery of the books! I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys spy books! It gives etiquette and espionage vibes but more grown up!