A Delicate Deception

Cat Sebastian — 2019

When Amelia Allenby escaped a stifling London ballroom for the quiet solitude of the Derbyshire countryside, the very last thing she wanted was an extremely large, if—she grudgingly admits—passably attractive man disturbing her daily walks. Lecturing the surveyor about property rights doesn’t work and, somehow, he has soon charmed his way into lemon cakes, long walks, and dangerously heady kisses. The very last place Sydney wished to be was in the shadow of the ruins of Pelham Hall, the inherited property that stole everything from him. But as he awaits his old friend, the Duke of Hereford, he finds himself increasingly captivated by the maddeningly lovely and exceptionally odd Amelia. He quickly finds that keeping his ownership of Pelham Hall a secret is as impossible as keeping himself from falling in love with her. But when the Duke of Hereford arrives, Sydney’s ruse is revealed and what started out as a delicate deception has become a love too powerful to ignore. Will they let a lifetime of hurt come between them or can these two lost souls find love and peace in each other?

Reviews

Linsey Mombert@linsey

Aug 6, 2024

I needed something fast and cute, because I was reading a series and I got stuck. My brain couldn’t read any further so I needed something else so I can get back to the series later. And this was perfect. I have this love for small old weird cute novels that are dated in the year 16… or 18… something. Fun fact a book dated in the older days is what got me back to reading a few yrs back. I have this little section in my bookcloset with old novels that are discolored and probably been thru a lot as they are second hand and the state of them is just wild. But I have a special love for them. And this reminded me of that love.

b.andherbooks@bandherbooks

Oct 9, 2021

I recently finished reading an ARC of Cat Sebastian’s A Delicate Deception which features two disarmingly lovely and grumpy people falling head over heels for each other, slowly but surely, after they keep running into each other on their morning jaunts. Extremely tall Sydney with his stern eyebrows but kissable mouth and reclusive Lady Amelia Allenby living her best life free of the ballrooms and anxieties that plagued her in London society are an absolute treat. I always adore how Cat Sebastian handles and subverts romance tropes. Lady Amelia's nonchalance about her "deflowering" yet her supreme happiness with being with Sydney was just *chef's kiss* lovely. This story also is absolutely queer, and I loved how the happily ever after worked out for both characters. If you can’t wait for A Delicate Deception, Cat Sebastian has a wonderful back list of amazing titles you can jump in to right away! I reviewed from a free copy downloaded from Edelweiss+

Natalie@gigameow

Oct 17, 2022

Lauren Sullivan@llamareads

Feb 21, 2022

Genny Santellan@gennysreadingroom

Nov 17, 2021

Elizabeth Hisserich@lizhiss

Nov 16, 2021

Angelina Thomson@amrthomson

Nov 1, 2021