April 3, 2017
Love is elusive in this chaste, page-turning early-19th-century romance. Anthony Blake, Earl of Wilshire, plans to offer marriage to Sophia Elliot, the sister of his friend Jack. But when his former superior at England’s war office asks him to locate and protect the Janus Document, which contains damaging information on him and other agents, Anthony knows that he must take the mission. He breaks off his association with Sophia, believing that she could be in danger because of her friendship with him. Two years later, Sophia joins one of the many Fishing Fleet expeditions, in which young Englishwomen traveled to India in hopes of meeting eligible English military men there. Anthony tracks the Janus Document to India and Captain Miller, who is a guest at the British Residency. When Anthony and Sophia reunite at the British Residency, he is reluctant to disclose the nature of his mission, though he works on rekindling their romance. Then Captain Miller goes missing and Sophia becomes embroiled in the search for him. Campbell Allen’s tale simmers with sweet romance, historical detail, and a dose of mystery.
July 1, 2017
After the man of her dreams breaks her heart, Sophia Elliot heads to India for a change of scenery and perhaps to find a husband, but she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery being investigated by her former beau.Sophia's life has been dramatic the past few years since her brother unexpectedly inherited a title that saved her family from poverty and servitude and became good friends with Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire. Sophia and Anthony seem to share a special bond and be on the way to marriage when Anthony leaves town, leaving her a simple note that underlines their friendship. As reports trickle back that he's reverted to his old pleasure-seeking ways, Sophia decides she needs to leave England and joins "England's Fishing Fleet--the contingency of single Englishwomen who, unsuccessful at securing husbands in London, traveled yearly to India to appeal to England's military men and civil servants." When she gets to Calcutta, she's stunned to discover that Anthony is there, and despite the rumors of his being a wastrel, when a murder occurs soon after she arrives, Anthony seems to be very much the man in charge of the investigation. As truths come out about Anthony--an English secret agent searching for a dangerous stolen document--and other new friends and acquaintances, Sophia begins to believe she may have her happy ending after all. Allen's sequel to My Fair Gentleman (2016) is a sweet, creative Regency romance with just enough novelty to make it refreshing while still adhering to genre standards. Particularly recommended to readers who prefer clean (i.e. no sex) romance. A clever, engaging, India-set Regency romance.
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Starred review from July 1, 2017
Allen's (Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, 2016) skill for creating evocative yet sweet romance novels will appeal to a wide range of readers. In her latest, Englishman Anthony Blake is getting ready to propose to Sophia, the sister of his best friend, when he is called back into the life of espionage. He had hoped to steer clear of that world, but now he returns to save all those he cares about. It is two years before he and Sophia cross paths again, this time in India, to which she fled to escape the pressures of the ton and the marriage market. Anthony knows that rekindling their relationship could lead her into danger, but he finds it impossible not to let her know how he truly feels about her. Sophia is determined to help Anthony solve his final mission, so they can have a future. She is also committed to helping the new friends she makes in India stay safely away from some deadly traditions. Allen's historical descriptions of India offer a vivid backdrop to a smart and striking work of romantic suspense. Fans of Marion Chesney will especially enjoy this novel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)