Review: A Lady's Deception (Haslemere Men #2) by Pamela Mingle

Print Length: pages

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (August 28, 2017)

From Goodreads.com: Mr. Hugh Grey and Miss Eleanor Broxton share a scintillating liaison the night before he leaves for war in Canada. The memory sustained him for the years he was away. Now, the reputed rake is back, knighted, and he’s got enough money to right the estate his father left in ruins. What would make Sir Hugh Grey’s world perfect is the lovely Eleanor by his side. 

Their attraction is sizzling, and the sweet way Hugh is wooing her—a kitten, kisses in the moonlight, and expert help in lighting her dreary work space—makes Eleanor dream of forever with her strapping knight. But she will not risk a scandal, which could ruin his newfound respectability and esteem, especially in her father’s eyes. When Hugh discovers what she’s been hiding, it could drive them apart forever.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Even though this is number two in a series, you do not have to have read the first in order to enjoy this one. Yes, characters from book one do make an appearance in this one, and certain themes do carry over, but this story is about Hugh and Eleanor first and foremost. 

This story was one of those unfortunate cases where I feel it feel solidly in the middle of the road for me. The writing was decent, the plot-line was ok, but over all something was just missing. 

Hugh and Eleanor were interesting characters. They obviously held each other in some regard since he sought her out before he left for Canada, and she gave him her virtue in a barn, but they were young when that happened, and I would expect war and the harsh realities of plain growing up would have changed them in some way, or at least made them more careful. However, this does not appear to be the case. Them having an attraction to one another is understandable. Them acting on it almost immediately? Both should have known better, considering their history. 

These two are either at odds with each other, or bedding each other. I feel like the author could have spent more time exploring what they could be to each other now that they were older instead of showcasing the passion we already knew they had. 

The big thing that killed it for me was when one of the major plot points happens, and while anger and even a bit of resentment is justified, the way it played out was nearly distasteful. Hugh is downright cruel to Eleanor, but then he "has time to think about it", and suddenly realizes he still loves her and expects her to just forgive him and carry on as though nothing has happened? And she doesn't put up much of a fight about it? I couldn't believe it.

Overall, I think this novel will still appeal to those who enjoy historical romance. I would read more from this author! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                               A Lady's Deception is available from Amazon.com