REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"This entire journey would be what she made of it, regardless of what she encountered at Cloverton Hall."
What a divine opportunity! Olivia Brannon has received an unsolicited invitation to utilize her antiquities background that could transform her future into . . . certainly much, much more! Surreptitiously posing as Mrs. Agnes Milton's companion at an upcoming house party at Cloverton Hall, Olivia would be provided with the time necessary to appraise the widow's valuable private collection. Unknowingly, the designation also puts her in the limelight; no one knows who she is, thus creating an unwelcome aura of mystique, granting the one person who does recognize her the opportunity to sabatoge her efforts . . . if he so chooses.
Lucas Avery, also invited to Cloverton Hall by the recent heir of the elegant estate, was deciding how to proceed with his own discreet assessment of the recently deceased Francis Milton's prized possessions . . . when he spots a familiar face. At one time their families had been joined in business ventures, but that partnership had dissolved into competition. What was Olivia Brannon doing at Cloverton Hall, and what a lovely young woman she had grown up to be.
Like a red carpet; lush, colorful, and attention getting, this narrative rolls out its story one fold at a time, putting readers at ease with graceful word flow and intriguing detail. Despite the gay veneer, something curious, even nefarious is simmering just below the surface at Cloverton Hall, leaving Lucas and Olivia to ponder whether it would behoove them to join forces as partners. After all, they could be much stronger together . . . in more ways than one!
My favorite story in this series! 4.5 stars
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
BackCover Blurb:
A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.
Olivia
Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency
England, her best bet—according to society—is to marry well and secure a
steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in
convention. She’d prefer to follow in her deceased father’s footsteps
and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.
Eager
to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an
invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to
evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is
vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a
house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.
Lucas
Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivia’s father, has also arrived at
the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton
Hall—the widow’s nephew—to appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall
collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest
while covertly conducting her own assessment, he’s keen to renew the
family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, he’s unprepared for
the effect the refreshingly honest—and beautiful—Olivia has on him.
Yet
all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the
astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected
occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must
choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa
and her sister to gain their freedom.
-Sweet Regency romance set in the same time period as Bridgerton
-Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel
-Book length: 83,000 words
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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