Roseanna M. White’s The Imposters series comes to a captivating end in An Honorable Deception. Although the subject matter is at times extremely serious and heartbreaking, White balances sorrow, love, and faith well. I really enjoyed seeing characters from previous stories and series, and meeting several enthralling new ones. If you enjoy historical fiction with elements of romance and intrigue, White’s books are for you. 4/5 stars

Note: For this book, I think it is important to offer a content warning. Although these topics are handled with respect, An Honorable Deception tackles subjects such as child abuse, human trafficking, emotional/mental/physical abuse, and rape.

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

1910 England -

I think we ALL wanted to read Yate's story! This was a very satisfying read. I found it amusing that Roseanna White shared he was never meant to end up with this particular heroine. Consequently, we end up with a bonus romance in this story. We also find the return of some beloved characters from a previous series - but no spoilers here! I highly recommend the entire trilogy filled with mystery, intrigue, romance, faith, personal growth and more.

Five Stars

I received this eVersion from NetGalley and the Publisher for my honest review without expectation or compensation.

An Honorable Deception
by Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Series: Book 3 of The Imposter's
Rated: 4-5
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.
As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.
Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.
Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.”

Impressions: I enjoyed this book very much. It is part of the Imposter series and is best read as part of the series. Characters from previous books are involved in this story as well as appearances made by Barclay and Mr. V from other books written by White. I appreciated the darkness exposed in this book and how well White wrote about these more challenging topics. The characters and plot worked well together in this well-written story.

Quotes: “’ She said that every bit of pain she bore drew her closer to Him (God). That the worse we hurt, the closer He holds us. The weaker we were, the more strength He’d give if we opened our hearts to let Him in.’”

“’ He cannot steal my joy, sweetling,’ she would say. ‘That is beyond his power. Because it is our good Father who gives it. Who loves us so much that He gave all for us. His suffering was so much more than ours can ever be. So when we suffer- and we all will, in this life- it can make us more like Him.’”

“’ Go outside for a while, sweet one. Soak up a bit of sunshine. Be reminded of how the God who created such an intricate world is at work here and now too.’ She lifted a challenging brow.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

The author dealt with a very difficult and sensitive subject in a world where women and children had little rights in a way true to the history.

Though this book was heavier due to the subject, Yates with his charming teasing personality brought a bit of light to the story.

I loved that Lavinia was one of the main female characters and how readers could see her inner strength and fighting spirit from her past struggles.

I really enjoyed the paths crossed between two of the author’s fiction world and the promise of a partnership for hopeful future stories.

Everyone got their happy ending in a way which will leave readers with a satisfied sigh and smile.

In An Honorable Deception Roseanna M. White tackles a difficult theme, the purpose of pain and suffering, with tenderness and great insight. Through the sorrows of Lady Lavinia and Lady Alethia, and how they each handle them, White demonstrates in which manner one is drawn closer to Christ, and in which one is left feeling isolated and alone. This theme sets a tone for the book that is a bit more serious than the first two books in the series as the case the Imposters have taken on is very dark and the victims are victimized to a greater degree. Readers are encouraged by how shining light into the dark corners can bring both justice and restoration. In classic Roseanna M. White style, the weight of this story is occasionally relieved by the lighthearted acts and banter among the Imposters.

I highly encourage readers to read The Imposters series in order to achieve the greatest enjoyment of this marvelous series. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of An Honorable Deception from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Roseanna M. White has outdone herself with this stirring conclusion to The Imposters series! An Honorable Deception is indelibly etched in my heart. Yates’ story was all I ever hoped for & more. Set in the Edwardian Era, this inspirational romance/mystery takes on the dark underbelly of London’s elite combined with an achingly beautiful second chance romance. Full of mystery, intrigue, a heartfelt love story, & triumph over evil, this book was impossible to put down.

Lord Yates Fairfax has a carefully hidden secret identity. As Mr. A, he & the other Imposters investigate cases for the aristocracy. When the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore seeks help in finding her missing former nanny, Yates risks exposing his identity to come to her aid when she’s shot inside the church where their meeting takes place. Whisking her away to his estate, Yates along with his sister Marigold & their old friend Lady Lavinia Hemming assist in nursing her back to health.

Yates inexplicably finds himself drawn to Alethia, the wounded soul who’s stumbled on to a terrible secret, but he can’t forget his old love Lavinia who rejected him several years ago. It took him years to get over her, and being near her threatens to unleash all the carefully buried feelings. As he struggles with feelings for both women, he risks his life to uncover the whereabouts of the missing nanny & unearths the terrible secrets of England’s most elite.

Ahh, this story definitely tugged on the heartstrings. The premise involves some difficult subjects including child abuse & trafficking, but the author brilliantly handles the horrors with delicacy & without any unnecessary details. She carefully balances the heavy with Yates’ good humor, charm & wit along with a lovely second chance romance. Lavinia certainly has her work cut out for her to convince Yates that she still loves him & find the strength to fight for what she wants. She’s up against some stiff competition though as Alethia is the irresistible damsel in distress.

The ending was so satisfying! I loved how they were able to expose the villains in such an unforgettable way. The inspirational messages left a deep impression as these characters struggle with self-worth & overcoming the past. I was also thrilled to see familiar characters from the author’s other series. I won’t say more because I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but I loved the tie-ins to this favorite series.

I’ve loved The Imposter series & am sad to see it come to an end. I’m hoping there might be more adventures in store for these characters. Highly recommend to inspirational historical fiction fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

To say I was excited to finally read Yates and Lavinia’s story is a great understatement, and this novel did not disappoint! I think this has been one of my favorite series by this author and every single book has been jam packed with danger, intrigue, suspense, secrets, history, and romance. The character development is so well written, it is like returning to a group of friends every time I open a new installment in the series. The action and suspense, which starts in chapter one, kept my attention and made me stay up way too late into the night to read more! I also love the research and detail the author puts into the descriptions of the setting, society, and the history. I feel like I learn so much about the time period! And certainly, well woven throughout, are marvelous spiritual themes that are poignant and applicable. I truly cannot say enough good things about this novel and most highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

It’s here! An Honorable Deception, book three in the Imposters Series, is purely delightful! It is full of all the things White is known for: romance, intrigue, deep characters, difficult topics handled with grace, humor, and plenty of hope and truth! IMHO, this one is best enjoyed in order due to intricacies of the storylines. I adore Lord Fairfax, not just because he’s brilliant, but his humor, charm, and quick thinking make all his interactions just enjoyable to read. Not to mention, his athleticism is astounding and his willingness to take chances to see justice served added new opportunities to the Imposters team. Lady Lavinia surprised me in this story as she comes out of her shell and shows everyone there is more to her than meets the eye. Lady Alethia is determined to find her ayah and despite the danger, refuses to back down. At first, I was concerned there was going to be a love triangle, which I don’t particularly enjoy, but everyone settles happily exactly where they need to be. The bravery, friendship, and dedication to those who need assistance is inspiring. The journey to uncover so many secrets was well thought out and the final resolution deserves a standing ovation. Truly. There are some very heavy topics covered in this book, but they are handled tenderly, and the Light absolutely shines through the darkness.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and loved the conclusion of not only the story, but of the team members journey as well. There are light moments of humor and deep moments of truth.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

When a young socialite who seeks the Imposters’ help in finding her missing ayah is subsequently shot, Yates knows there’s more to this case than it first appeared. And since two of his team are semi-incapacitated, it’s easy to accept help from his old friend Lady Lavinia, who is still reeling from the betrayal uncovered in her family in a previous Imposters case.

Yates was a semi-side character in the previous two books, but there were always sections from his POV, giving us a chance to get to know him as an Imposter, brother, and earl. In this book, he’s in the forefront, and his history with Lavinia shown in the first book is expanded upon. I always liked Yates, so I was happy to see more of him. And though his sister Marigold is married now, I love their sibling relationship in this book.

Besides Yates, this book has two other POVs—Lavinia and Lady Alethia, the woman whose ayah has gone missing. Alethia has her own dark past, and the way Lavinia and Alethia help each other through their healing is one of my favorite things about this book. There was one quote in particular that I found very moving:

“‘Whoever made you think you’re not worth it— they’re wrong. So very wrong. And you let them win when you keep thinking those thoughts. You are precious….You must not take any unnecessary risks. Your life matters.’”

After reading the first book in this series, I already knew I needed to read other books by Roseanna M. White, and after reading the author’s note and finding out that some characters from another series of hers appeared in this book, I’ll definitely be starting with that one. The ending makes it seem like there’s more to come in this series, though I don’t know if that will be the case, or if it will spill into a different series like the Shadows Over England series did into this one. I’ll definitely keep an eye on White’s future books, but in the meantime, I highly recommend this book for fans of Christian historical mystery (this is set during the Edwardian era in London).

Another brilliant historical novel by Roseanna M. White! Though this author has never shied away from the difficult subjects, this one felt a bit heavier than usual, but was still offset by light-hearted characters and witty banter. This is the third book in The Imposters series and though the story would stand alone, I would recommend reading this series in order in order to better understand the character relationship dynamics. The Imposters are a set of elite investigators, well known among the wealthy members of English society. When Alethia Barremore comes to them to find her missing Ayah, Yates is uncertain whether they should take her case. But when Alethia is attacked immediately following their meeting, he knows they have to. When their old family friend, Lavinia Hemming gets involved in the case as well, it complicates the matters of Yates's heart.

Since the beginning of this series, I have been impatiently waiting for Yates's story as he's been my favorite side character in the other 2 books and I've been anxiously awaiting his happily ever after. And I was not disappointed! Though this story showed the lowest dregs of a sinful human heart and therefore felt heavier than the author's other works, she used the heavy subject matter with the most light-hearted of her characters, so that helped with the heaviness. And as Lavinia says, "sheltering us from the world doesn't spare our eyes from seeing the evil - it spares evil from the light that would reveal it.... it's only when we tear down those walls and look at the truth straight on that we can hope to change things". It's important to talk about the ugliness of sin so that the light of Grace can shine through more brightly. And that was what this story did. In addition to the main mystery of figuring out what happened to Alethia's nanny, there was a deeper darker secret needing to be uncovered. At the same time, Yates finds himself drawn to 2 different women and The Imposters team grows more members. The romance in this one felt more like a sub-plot, which suited me just fine. Probably because there were 2 leading ladies, it added some extra oomph to the plot, but kept the actual romance from moving along too quickly. As I learned more about each of the ladies, I found myself rooting for whichever one whose chapter I was reading as the both needed a little Yates in their life. In the end, I was thrilled with the outcome and both women (and Yates) got a happy ending. The other thing I loved about this book was a cross-over in some characters from the author's other books, and it made me so happy to see some "old friends" again. All in all, though this was hard to read in some parts, it was a necessary message and a beautiful story with the best of conclusions. With a solid faith thread, a masterful plot, and a couple of great romances, this is one I would definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction. Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

This series has been the best! Such a unique group of Imposters: elite private investigators, actors, acrobats, impoverished aristocrats. Now we get Yates’ story. Sister Marigold may be curtailed a bit because of her delicate condition but Yates still sheds his shoes and socks to scale walls to rescue those lin danger.
As the elusive Mr. A, Yates takes on a beautiful client, Lady Alethia who is in search of her childhood nanny. The case takes a turn to the shady side of London society. With previous team members and new recruits, the Imposters are faced with danger, intrigue, disappearances of Ayahs from India and innocent children. Ms. White crafts a believable world of 1910 England. I was pleased to see characters from the Shadows Over England series play a vital part in uncovering injustice.
Loyalty among the Impostors was key along with Christian values. Romance takes an unexpected turn for childhood friends Lavinia and Yates. Humor and wit add to the atmosphere. Through it all we see strong faith depicted and the desire to right the wrongs that were not so hidden in society.
This wonderful story had me thoroughly engaged and I would welcome more in this story world.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

"An Honorable Deception" is a Christian romance with a mystery, set in 1910 in England. This book is the 3rd in the series, but you can understand it without reading the previous books. However, you'll probably enjoy it more if you've read the first in the series as they refer back to events in that story.

The main characters were likable and reacted realistically. Lavinia turned down Yates when they were younger because her mother disapproved, but Yates thought that she didn't love him and tried to move on. Alethia caught his attentions, but Lavinia realized how much she wanted his affection now that her mother has died. But she's friends with Alethia, too. Yates and Lavinia worked well together and cared for and supported each other.

The mystery was about finding missing foreign women, specifically Alethia's Indian nanny. Once they found her, they needed to free her and others from cruel gentlemen, ones the police were unlikely to arrest. So how to get them free and make sure the men don't harm others? It was fun watching Lavinia get to direct the investigation and take the stage (literally) in pursuit of justice.

The Indian nanny's Christian faith was what helped her through the evil she experienced. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun story.

This story is so good! I was telling my sister that I wish there were more authors like Roseanna M. White, since her books are just that good. This one is a little darker than her others, with handling some trigger subjects. She does a wonderful job of handling the difficult subjects and offering a message of hope.

I really loved this book. This is the last in The Imposters series and I think it is my favorite. I loved how there were two women vying for the heart of the male main character. And both were worthy contenders but I knew which one I was pulling for and happily mine won the guy. Yates was the guy and what a guy he was. He was witty and strong and an all around lovable guy.
The entire book pointed the characters and the reader to God.
A favorite quote:
“She speaks of the ‘little way.’ Of dedicating each moment, each pain, each everything to God. Relying on Him. Trusting Him in it and through it and for it, seeking what He would teach us and drawing closer to Christ through the suffering,”
Highly recommend! A brilliant book!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

An Honorable Deception is a wonderful addition to Roseanna M.. White’s omnibus, as well as an excellent culmination to her Imposters series. A long time fan of White’s books, I make a point of reading every one I can get my hands on—and I must say that this newest one does not disappoint! As always, readers can expect a beautifully crafted story full of twists and turns, intrigue and mystery, friendship and romance.

An Honorable Deception follows Lord Yates Fairfax, leader of the Imposters; Lady Lavinia Hemming, Yates’ longtime friend, former sweetheart, and newest “partner;” and Lady Alethia Barremore, the Imposters’ current client whose life is in danger from an unknown source.

More than a mere romance, this book invites readers to ponder who they are in Christ and how they will respond to the difficulties, trials, and hardships that assail them. Will they press in to the Savior and seek to do His will no matter the personal cost? Will they use their gifts and testimony to lift up and point those around them toward Christ?

While there are many, many notable passages in An Honorable Deception, Roseanne White includes a quote by St. Thérèse that does a remarkable job summing up what I consider to be one of central themes of her novel: “It is wrong to pass one’s time in fretting, instead of sleeping on the heart of Jesus.” For when we rest in Him, we are enveloped with His love and equipped to freely offer that love to those around us.

One final note: Those who have read the other the novels in the Imposters series will be delighted to know that Marigold and Sir Merritt, Gemma and Graham, and Fairfax Tower’s menagerie pepper the pages of An Honorable Deception. And those who are familiar with White’s other series are in for a pleasant surprise, as several other memorable characters make special appearances, too.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are solely my honest opinion.

I want to start this review with What an amazing cover and an adventure!
Just now finished it. Stayed up until 3am to see if Yates ǰ̣

From the very first page, the sense of mystery grabs hold of you and propels you into the story, making it almost impossible to resist speeding through the chapters. Roseanna White’s novel, An Honorable Deception, is an adventurous blend of suspense, intrigue, and romance.

The clues are revealed at a steady rhythm, leaving you eager to stay up late into the night like Lavinia, determined to solve the mystery. The seriousness of the mystery unfolds on the sordid details of the underbelly in London society. But the story is well-balanced with the delightful humor and banter of main characters you can’t help but like.

Yates easily becomes a frustrating favorite. His sister and her wisdom will have you nodding in agreement. The childhood sweetheart, Lavinia, will make your heartache. All the characters are so wonderfully written that you can’t help but feel as if you are a part of the family, a member of the Imposters.

With the undercurrent of faith holding the story together as the characters uncover deplorable secrets, readers are sure to come away with spiritual takeaways. An Honorable Deception keeps you guessing and tugs your heart between possible resolutions on the broken road to love and a gut-wrenching desire for justice to prevail. With an ending that satisfies the myriad of questions keeping the reader plowing through the book, this novel is one you won’t want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher but was not required to give a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Roseanna White's books are consistently good, and this one is no exception!

It does build on the other books in the series, so I recommend reading in order. It could also be termed "the book with all the crossovers"--plenty of characters from other key series appear here, so that was a gem for me (having read them all). Readers unfamiliar with them will just want to make sure and read the author's note at the end for direction on what to read next!

This read keeps up with the quality and tone of the other Imposters installments, as well as what I've generally come to expect with White. She engages with history, theology, and the challenges and joys of life like few other authors, ever encouraging the reader to go "further up and further in."

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Just when I think Roseanna M. White's writing can't get any stronger, it does, and An Honorable Deception proves it! This book pairs fascinating characters with a tight plot, sizzling romance, and deception at every turn - it doesn't get any better than this.

An Honorable Deception is full of contrasts: light versus dark, the honorable versus the wicked, innocence versus depravity, selfishness versus sacrifice and much more. I love this style because it not only highlights the differences but brings home the message in a big way.

Which is great, because An Honorable Deception has a really important message - one that everyone needs to hear: about how everyone has value, not because of what we do, or who we are, or who we might know, but because of Whose we are. That nothing can keep us from Him unless we choose that. That although life can get hard, and dark, we can choose to let those hard things draw us even closer to Him - which is hard in itself, but that the best things are. And even amidst all of that darkness, there's light if we only remember to look for it.

White hid some fantastic Easter eggs in this story, so if you've read some of her other series, you'll cheer when some familiar characters make an appearance. I love the depth that this layer added, but if you're new to White, the story still stands as the finale of The Imposters series.

And for that, I'm sad. I love this cast of characters and the intricacy with which White has woven their stories. This premise of circus-performing nobility sounds so out there but it totally works in White's masterful hands - and the result is a story that's both deep and meaningful but also fun, one that will have you laughing even as you ponder the lessons within.

Isn't that the best kind?

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

Yates! I was so happy that Yates got his own story. I’ve loved him in the previous two books. He’s such a witty, intelligent, strong, caring man. Lavinia, is still fighting to overcome things that happened in previous books. I loved watching her relationship with God grow. The banter and flirting between Yates and Lavina was spectacular.
Lady Alethia has a hard past. Seeing her trust her new friends and lean into God was touching. I loved all the faith elements in this story, the reminders of trusting God, relying on Him, and drawing closer to Him were beautiful.
I enjoyed having all the Imposters and Xavier back. I smiled SO BIG when a certain character from other book series showed up! So much fun!! And then another in the Epilogue. 😍
Favorite quote: “Whoever made you think you’re not worth it— they’re wrong. So very wrong. And you let them win when you keep thinking those thoughts. You are precious, Lavinia. And you are needed. By all of us. You must not take any unnecessary risks. Your life matters.”
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the author and publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.