The Secret Heart

Will them working together be the beginning or the end of their duet ...

This is my second read by Mrs Mary Lancaster, my first having been the first in this series, so fun that this one will be the last book in it.

What a lovely read it was, words flow easily and smoothly. From the very beginning I was entranced by this tale. Such I devoured it in one sitting.
I just adored her main couple but also the side ones, and the secondary romance.

Lily is such a pleasure to learn about, she is easy to live with, she brings happiness in her wake. So much, Randolph was lost from the moment he set eyes upon her.
While Lily is the angel enlightening everyone’s life, Randolph lives in the shadows, impersonating a fleeting peer with few countenance. When he is so much more than what he let everyone see. And while he is good at what he does, Lily is one who slowly comes to read who he hides behind his carefully crafted appearance.
I loved both Lily and Randolph, despite their age difference, they are perfect for one another, as each enhances the other’s mood. And while they are engaged in a dangerous game of exposing a traitor, Randolph does not play all almighty lord, he listens to Lily’s thoughts and instincts. Able to recognize when he is in the wrong. And when it was at the beginning, only a time occasion to spend a bit more time together before they split and each goes to its own path; soon it becomes obvious their burgeoning attraction is more than what they thought. Up to them to see if they can flaunt conventions.

A special mention to Millie, Randolph’s sister, she is such a ray of light, giving the appearance that she is shallow when she is only hiding deep wounds.

5 stars for this moving and full of actions read.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Some suspect that Lily Villin is the true heart of the Hart Inn, a lucky house where love always seems to blossom, whatever the obstacles. But Lily has another secret. She is in love with an enigmatic nobleman, and no luck in the world can make such a marriage possible. Randolph, Lord Torbridge, is a man of many secrets, in pursuit of a well-born traitor. But his visits to the Hart have increasingly less to do with his vital work than with the innkeeper's beautiful daughter—until he discovers her gift for mimicry and enrolls her in a dangerous masquerade to unmask the enemy.
This is the final book of this lovely series, I’ve only recently discovered the author & so glad I have as I'm devouring her books, they are so good. A well written page turning read with lovely characters who have plenty of depth, of course both Lily & Randolph have appeared in earlier books & I loved that Lily especially has her own story & I loved every word of it. A fun adventurous sigh worthy read which I highly recommend, just a word of warning don’t start it in the evening if you want to sleep - I made this mistake & finally got to sleep at nearly 4am
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Randolf has always enjoyed his stays at the Hart Inn, mostly because of Lily. Because of their different stations in life, he has kept his feelings to himself. When Lily shows a gift for mimicry, Randolf decides to ask her to help him with a mission.

Lily has been hiding a secret love for Randolf for years. When he asks her to help him, she says yes if only to be able to spend time with him. She never imagined it would change her life...

What will happen when these two finally admit their feeling for one another?

This is my first book by Lancaster and I will definitely be back for more! I really enjoyed watching Randolph and Lily finding their HEA. I loved how Lily was able to read others and how it allowed her to see beyond what Randolph showed the rest of the world to see the man he truly was.

I really enjoyed reading this story and the tidbits about the other stories in the series have me chomping at the bit to read those too!

We’ve seen Lily Villin is the true heart of the Hart Inn where love always seems to blossom no matter whatever the obstacles. She’s always had a tender for Randolph, Lord Torbridge, is a man of many secrets. When he realizes she’s can mimic ladies of the ton he enlists her help to find a well-born traitor. Torbridge has always felt something for Lily, but he’s known he can’t marry below his station or can he? He takes Lily to his sister’s home and from there the investigation begins. I love these two, their attraction is mutual and Lily knows must give into these feelings or she’ll be ruined, but it gets complicated when they are thrown together every day. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.

Romance, spies, wit, and an enigmatic hero all come together to make this a very enjoyable Regency novel. Lily has carried a torch for Lord Torbridge for years, having had an easy and comfortable relationship with him as a guest at her parent's inn. She knows him to be a brave hero and vanquisher of villains, but unlike most people, she finds him difficult to read. Thus, when he asks her to accompany him to London to assist him in going after a traitor, Lily jumps at the opportunity. As Lily becomes part of his family, her gift of being able to understand the needs of people brings healing and some surprises. The plot is interesting, keeping the reader involved with the characters throughout. I loved Randolph and Lily as well as their families and enjoyed the sub-plots interwoven in this story. I felt bereft when I came to the end of this novel and didn't want it to end. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I so enjoyed this wonderful and exciting story with quite a few twists and turns that will keep you on your toes!! Mary Lancaster has such a delightful way of writing and you can't help but fall in love with her characters, even her secondary characters!!

Lily may just be the innkeeper's daughter but her personality is so warm and loving and with love matches being made at the inn, she is known as the heart of the Hart inn:) Randolph is a guest who comes often at the inn and Lily has fallen head over heels in love with him but dares not say anything as she's so beneath his station and knows there's no chance for them. When Randolph asks for her help, she doesn't even think twice about it! Thus starts an adventure in London that is filled with danger, secrets and threats. It's a slow burn romance between them but oh, how your heart aches for them, wondering if nothing will come of it. This is where the twists and turns come in:)

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.