Pages: 368
Published by Swoon Reads on April 11, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Romance
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
Miss Lydia Whitfield, heiress to the family fortune, has her future entirely planned out. She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father's choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going according to plan.
Until Lydia—and Robert along with her—is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won't hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert's help, Lydia strives to keep her family's good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants…
Cindy Anstey has done it again! Love, Lies and Spies was one of my favorite books of 2016. And now Duels and Deception is one of my favorite reads of 2017! I just love Cindy’s books. Duels and Deception is a companion novel, set in the same time period as Love Lies and Spies. So while you do not need to read Love Lies and Spies to understand Duels and Deception, both of these books are seriously so good that you need to read both. Trust me on that one!
Duels and Deception is a young adult historical romance by Cindy Anstey. Young Adult historical is a genre that I don’t read too much of…not because I don’t enjoy it. When it is is well done, I love it. But I am super picky when it comes to the writing and world building in my historical books. And Cindy Anstey has the historical writing IT FACTOR in spades. I felt like I was reading a young adult Oscar Wilde. Cindy is my favorite YA historical author. If you haven’t read it already, you need to read this book. It is hands, down, one of the best young adult historical romances I have ever read.
I loved the Regency wit and charm. Flirting in their flowery way just seems so much more fun to me. Duels and Deception is the story of Lydia and Robert. Lydia is delightfully headstrong and independent. I loved how she carried herself and how she was not afraid to speak her mind. And Robert is a stand up guy. Fans of good guys will swoon all over Robert. I know I did. Plus, Duels and Deception centers around an estate. And you all know how nerdy I am about estate planning. I can’t say enough positive things about this book. Stick with it for the first 6 chapters and I promise you will be sucked in. From that point on, nothing could tear me away from this story. I am having the hardest time picking my favorite of these two books. (I think it might have been Love , Lies and Spies…but only by a hair. )
Just like the first book, Duels and Deception was wonderfully witty, and awesomely romantic in the way only a fantastic historical romance can be. Everything makes it feel more romantic; the flowery over the top language, the setting, the wit and charm of the period- all of it works for me. Cindy Anstey has a fan in me.
Bottom line: If you are a lover of historical fiction, read Duels and Deception. If you are new to the genre or a reluctant reader, read Duels and Deception. It is that simple. Just read this book. I think it is one of the best books of 2017. (read Love Lies and Spies too!) Cindy Antsey is quickly climbing the ranks as a favorite author for me. I have absolutely loved both of her novels!
Duels And Deception by @CindyAnstey @Swoonreads is a @BookBriefs best books of 2017. See why & enter to win! Share on X
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Thanks for hosting today, Michelle! This sounds like a lovely and romantic story! Very atmospheric, too!
I have this on my shelf, but since you mentioned “a young adult Oscar Wilde” I am all in!
I was so close to requesting this one, but decided against it at the last second because I was worried I wouldn’t get to it in time. Now I’m kicking myself because I’ve read 3 different 5 star reviews for this one! lol! So glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I will have to eventually pick this one up for myself. Great review!
I am starting this one in a little bit. So glad you liked it!
Sam @ WLABB
I’m really feeling this cover. It is totally my style.
This sounds like my kind of book. I love mystery books and this sounds good!
Thank you for the review & giveaway.
Awesome review! I don’t usually read historical romance but this sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing 🙂