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A review by dianed
The Love List by Deb Marlowe
5.0
I've read many books by Deb Marlowe including some of the Half Moon House series but for some reason, I had never gotten around to the book that started it all. This book really tells 2 stories. First, each chapter includes an excerpt from Hestia Wright's Journal - they explain the circumstances of her ruin that led to her rise to Queen of the Courtesans and then founder of the Half Moon House for women.
The main story is part mystery/ thriller and part romance. The book begins with Brynne Wilmott betrothed to Lord Marstoke, a mean and evil man. Her father had traded her to Marstoke in return for his favor. While attending a ball, Marstoke drags Brynne into an empty room and assualts her. In the middle of his abuse, the Duke of Aldmere breaks into the room looking for Marstoke. It seems that Marstoke has had a hand in the disappearance of the Duke's brother.
Brynne is a stong, independent woman and she stands up for herself, even if it means leaving her life in the ton behind. She uns away to Hestia's Half Moon House and begins to make a new life for herself.
It seems that whatever Marstoke is involved in the plan will drag both Brynne and Aldmere into trying to present it. The Duke, is the strong silent type who has learned to never let anyone in to his life and so when Brynne begins to crack his carefully cultivated shell he finds her hard to resist. The more she pushes the more he wants to take care ofher which is exactly what she doesn't want.
The two work together to uncover a plot to ruin the British aristocracy and work through danger from all sides to prevent national chaos.
Deb Marlowe does an amazing job of creating characters who you can't help but cheer for and waht to see succeed. Plus, this book sets up the books that follow in the series. It is a well written story with an amazingly happy ending.
The main story is part mystery/ thriller and part romance. The book begins with Brynne Wilmott betrothed to Lord Marstoke, a mean and evil man. Her father had traded her to Marstoke in return for his favor. While attending a ball, Marstoke drags Brynne into an empty room and assualts her. In the middle of his abuse, the Duke of Aldmere breaks into the room looking for Marstoke. It seems that Marstoke has had a hand in the disappearance of the Duke's brother.
Brynne is a stong, independent woman and she stands up for herself, even if it means leaving her life in the ton behind. She uns away to Hestia's Half Moon House and begins to make a new life for herself.
It seems that whatever Marstoke is involved in the plan will drag both Brynne and Aldmere into trying to present it. The Duke, is the strong silent type who has learned to never let anyone in to his life and so when Brynne begins to crack his carefully cultivated shell he finds her hard to resist. The more she pushes the more he wants to take care ofher which is exactly what she doesn't want.
The two work together to uncover a plot to ruin the British aristocracy and work through danger from all sides to prevent national chaos.
Deb Marlowe does an amazing job of creating characters who you can't help but cheer for and waht to see succeed. Plus, this book sets up the books that follow in the series. It is a well written story with an amazingly happy ending.