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bookloverchelle's review
4.0
This was my first read from Heather Snow and even though it’s book two in the series, I thought this did very well as a stand-alone read. After years working for England as a spy during the war, Derick has one last assignment for the home office taking him to the most dangerous local: his home town. Years ago Emma had such a crush on Derick but after a failed season, Emma returned home to work with her brother as the local magistrate. Derick tries to limit his contact with Emma but because she’s the most knowledgeable of the neighborhood he needs her help finding a traitor. These two have great chemistry, I love how they interact. I was able to figure out the mystery pretty quickly but I did enjoy how Ms. Snow laid it all out for the reader. Fun story and I’m excited to try something else from Ms. Snow.
loverofromance's review
4.0
Originally posted at my site Addicted To Romance
Summary
Frederick Aveline, is a peer in the realm, but has been away since he was seventeen years old. Many speculate that he is a french spy, since he is half french. But he is a spy but for England, and has spent most of his adult life in Europe to aid England in the war. He has now come back home, for one last mission, and then plans on leaving everything to start fresh, in America. His mission, go to Derbyshire, to expose a traitor, who is the local magistrate in town. But when he arrives, he finds a innocent young woman missing, and working alone side with the magistrate's sister, Emma Wallingford. Emma who used to follow him around everywhere, and he nicknamed her "Pygmy" and they developed a strong friendship. Emma, always had a soft spot for Frederick, ever since she was a child, she adored him. But then he left and she realized that she cared for him more than he ever knew. Now he is back, and they are on the search, and having to unravel a mystery, but soon a desire erupts between them, and Frederick will have to decide if he can trust Emma, will all of himself...
The Hero
Frederick Aveline, is quite a complex character, and I quite enjoyed his personality. He had quite a bit of depth to him, and he was the brooding hero that I just always fall in love with. Aveline is a spy for England, but has had to spend most of his time in Europe. To his country, he is only half french, but what they don't know is he doesn't have one drop of English blood in him. Frederick struggles with not feeling worthy of the title. Frederick, is quite talented at giving off the image he wants to convey. But he isn't read for Emma's smarts. He has always liked Emma, since they were children, even if she followed him everywhere. But he holds great affection for her. Frederick was quite the hero, a bit different than I was expecting. He is charming, handsome, and a scoundrel. But when you dig a bit deeper you see he has a heart of gold, but suffers from the sacrifices he has had to make, and you how tormented he is.
The Heroine
Emma Wallingford, may be a woman, but she is quick and smart and sassy. She is stubborn to a fault and determined to win. Emma was the type of heroine you just admire from the get go. She has tenacity and spirit, but has the sweet endearing quality about her you can relate to at any given moment. I loved how quick she is, and sees through Aveline's facade of a pompous rake. Emma has a mathematical and logical mind, her father passed away, and her brother is suffering from a mental disability, where he is only lucid for certain periods of time. So she has had to take it upon herself to be the magistrate full time. She is determined to bring a end to crime. She sees things in her mind very logical, and is determined to find out the cause of crime in England and put a stop to it (quite a challenge I know). But she is quite strong willed, and she is smart enough to do it. I loved seeing her character become quite a strong element in the story.No flight young miss we have here, I wish I was half as smart as she seems to be. And boy does she know how to answers to riddles and puzzles.
Plot and Story Line
This is quite a complex story, and so the plot definitely keep you excited and anxious. From the first chapter, you are drawn into a story that you know its going to surprise you...and boy did it pack quite the punch of surprises, shocks and delights. I just couldn't get enough of Sweet Deception. You see how this author weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue, depth, and heart pounding desire. I can be picky about the regency romances, but I swear this author keeps winning me over with this genre. Sometimes I get bored with it, but now when Heather Snow is at the helm. She has a beautiful way of creating a story that is intense, keeps your mind active, and at the same time satisfying you will a delightful romp of a romance. There were so many things that I adored about this story. One of the things that I found delightful was how Emma is determined to show Frederick that they are worth fighting for. She can be very bold and daring, which I wasn't expecting. At first you think of her as smart and quick, but more of the sedate time. But no, when she wants something, she goes after it, with any means at her disposal. I loved the banter between Emma and Frederick, it was quite fun and playful. Despite the seriousness of the story line, locating a traitor and a killer on the loose, but the story is also packed with a some sizzling sexual tension, and some complex character and this is a story to keep your heart racing, and guaranteed to hold onto your attention and won't let go till the last page.
Cover
Now I will say I just love the covers for this series. They fit the profile of the story, and the cover for Sweet Deception is mysterious and beautiful. I am a big fan for the color green, I feel like its such a good color, and really fits the heroine's style that is displayed in the story. As a whole it has a simplicity to it, but at the same time gives off a edge of mystery as well. I love her pose, its very self assured and confident--which is exactly Emma. I love the way the dress is draped on, not too revealing, but gives off a hint of sensuality. Quite stunning.
Overall View
Sweet Deception is a is a wonderfully written romance that combines, witty dialogue, captivating characters, fast paced plot, a few twists along the way, and a breathtaking love story. Heather Snow is a author that you HAVE to watch out for. Quite simply...refreshing and tasteful!!
Summary
Frederick Aveline, is a peer in the realm, but has been away since he was seventeen years old. Many speculate that he is a french spy, since he is half french. But he is a spy but for England, and has spent most of his adult life in Europe to aid England in the war. He has now come back home, for one last mission, and then plans on leaving everything to start fresh, in America. His mission, go to Derbyshire, to expose a traitor, who is the local magistrate in town. But when he arrives, he finds a innocent young woman missing, and working alone side with the magistrate's sister, Emma Wallingford. Emma who used to follow him around everywhere, and he nicknamed her "Pygmy" and they developed a strong friendship. Emma, always had a soft spot for Frederick, ever since she was a child, she adored him. But then he left and she realized that she cared for him more than he ever knew. Now he is back, and they are on the search, and having to unravel a mystery, but soon a desire erupts between them, and Frederick will have to decide if he can trust Emma, will all of himself...
The Hero
Frederick Aveline, is quite a complex character, and I quite enjoyed his personality. He had quite a bit of depth to him, and he was the brooding hero that I just always fall in love with. Aveline is a spy for England, but has had to spend most of his time in Europe. To his country, he is only half french, but what they don't know is he doesn't have one drop of English blood in him. Frederick struggles with not feeling worthy of the title. Frederick, is quite talented at giving off the image he wants to convey. But he isn't read for Emma's smarts. He has always liked Emma, since they were children, even if she followed him everywhere. But he holds great affection for her. Frederick was quite the hero, a bit different than I was expecting. He is charming, handsome, and a scoundrel. But when you dig a bit deeper you see he has a heart of gold, but suffers from the sacrifices he has had to make, and you how tormented he is.
The Heroine
Emma Wallingford, may be a woman, but she is quick and smart and sassy. She is stubborn to a fault and determined to win. Emma was the type of heroine you just admire from the get go. She has tenacity and spirit, but has the sweet endearing quality about her you can relate to at any given moment. I loved how quick she is, and sees through Aveline's facade of a pompous rake. Emma has a mathematical and logical mind, her father passed away, and her brother is suffering from a mental disability, where he is only lucid for certain periods of time. So she has had to take it upon herself to be the magistrate full time. She is determined to bring a end to crime. She sees things in her mind very logical, and is determined to find out the cause of crime in England and put a stop to it (quite a challenge I know). But she is quite strong willed, and she is smart enough to do it. I loved seeing her character become quite a strong element in the story.No flight young miss we have here, I wish I was half as smart as she seems to be. And boy does she know how to answers to riddles and puzzles.
Plot and Story Line
This is quite a complex story, and so the plot definitely keep you excited and anxious. From the first chapter, you are drawn into a story that you know its going to surprise you...and boy did it pack quite the punch of surprises, shocks and delights. I just couldn't get enough of Sweet Deception. You see how this author weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue, depth, and heart pounding desire. I can be picky about the regency romances, but I swear this author keeps winning me over with this genre. Sometimes I get bored with it, but now when Heather Snow is at the helm. She has a beautiful way of creating a story that is intense, keeps your mind active, and at the same time satisfying you will a delightful romp of a romance. There were so many things that I adored about this story. One of the things that I found delightful was how Emma is determined to show Frederick that they are worth fighting for. She can be very bold and daring, which I wasn't expecting. At first you think of her as smart and quick, but more of the sedate time. But no, when she wants something, she goes after it, with any means at her disposal. I loved the banter between Emma and Frederick, it was quite fun and playful. Despite the seriousness of the story line, locating a traitor and a killer on the loose, but the story is also packed with a some sizzling sexual tension, and some complex character and this is a story to keep your heart racing, and guaranteed to hold onto your attention and won't let go till the last page.
Cover
Now I will say I just love the covers for this series. They fit the profile of the story, and the cover for Sweet Deception is mysterious and beautiful. I am a big fan for the color green, I feel like its such a good color, and really fits the heroine's style that is displayed in the story. As a whole it has a simplicity to it, but at the same time gives off a edge of mystery as well. I love her pose, its very self assured and confident--which is exactly Emma. I love the way the dress is draped on, not too revealing, but gives off a hint of sensuality. Quite stunning.
Overall View
Sweet Deception is a is a wonderfully written romance that combines, witty dialogue, captivating characters, fast paced plot, a few twists along the way, and a breathtaking love story. Heather Snow is a author that you HAVE to watch out for. Quite simply...refreshing and tasteful!!
lisajo85's review against another edition
2.0
So this book made me very angry. Partly because the first one was so perfect and this was a far cry from the first novel for me. So I wrote some thoughts down and was going to post it immediately, but decided to sleep on it and see how I felt in the morning. I’m still upset...not so much with the story, but with the characters. Some of the things I pick on are petty and I admit that...so reader beware. Basically, the rest of this review is my specific, personal opinion. It seemed like every personal trigger I had was set off with this novel.
Historical romance featuring one or both protagonists as a spy is usually a hit or miss for me based on my personal preferences. Sometimes you just have these characters that are so emotionally disconnected because of their work, I feel like the growth to a full blown romantic interest is too much of a jump. That's how I felt with Derick in this novel. He just ruined it for me...like the worst kind of narcissist that was just all over the place. Derick seemed like an interesting character when he was introduced in Sweet Enemy, but what a waste he turned out to be. Snow really didn’t know who he was...and I know he says at one point even he doesn’t know who he is anymore, so maybe this whole experience was intentional, but that just doesn’t work for me. I didn’t feel anything for him and I certainly didn’t believe his transition.
I have to say this biggest disappointment was his egotism towards Emma's feelings. It was like nails on a chalkboard. For the first half of the book he was picking apart how much Emma desired him and loved him...constantly saying he could see it in her eyes...or the way she held her hands. He could tell how deep her feelings were. This was so early in the book, and Derick made it clear he in no way reciprocated these feelings. He lusted after her, sure...but he wasn't emotionally involved like she was.
Derick decides at one point (this is still very early in the book) to prove to Emma how "visible" her feelings are...so he whispers a few proactive clues, places his hands on certain points of her body...all to basically say "Hey! You have the hots for me....you lust after me." Whatever...but they're AT A FUNERAL when he does this. A. FUNERAL. I personally felt that was just so insulting to Emma. Not only that Derick was being crude, but that Emma's feelings were so powerful, so overwhelming (i.e. she’s predictable, inferior, just another pawn) that Derick had to prove to her she couldn't even control herself during a time of mourning. Like he was pulling apart her weakness...her "tells."
I get that this is what he’s done for the last 10 plus years as I spy. I get that he used his sexual prowess in the bedroom to win the war so this is probably a gut reaction for him...but is he not smart enough to realize Emma is NOT a spy and he doesn’t have to fuck the answer out of her? What a lucky guy he is to be the one spy dedicated to using his penis to get all the secrets. I guess I should have felt sorry that he had to whore himself out for England, but I didn’t. But what guy...seriously...what guy tells the girl he just slept with (her first time of course with the guy she has spent half her life in love with)...that he spent the last 10 years sleeping with a different woman each night. WHAT???????? Her mathematician brain thought he was serious! He knew how she LOVED HIM, PINED FOR HIM...for literally her entire life. Gahhh. I hate it. Fucking hate it. And why did we just gloss over the fact that he killed people??? Why does he have so much guilt that he slept with half of France, but not that he killed people????
In case you haven’t caught on at this point, this book made me very angry.
He was not like this with Liliana...not at all. He didn’t make advances on her or suggestive comments...he was sweet, kind considerate. The role he was supposed to play...I get it...but why in the world was this acceptable behavior with Emma? How was this romantic? For someone that was supposed to be a fabulous actor as a spy he sure did everything wrong with Emma.
And Emma is just treated as some discarded animal, living in Derbyshire...licking her wounds...pining (and I stress pining) after the man that left her alone over a decade ago. It's too much. She figures out his story fairly quickly, and that's great and all...good for her. But Derick just wasn't worth her time...yet despite that she can't help herself. She keeps trying to manipulate Derick into this relationship...into something he clearly is not...and I just couldn't stand it. It wasn't romantic...it was desperate and I hated seeing a heroine in that position.
Not a fan...not a fan at all of this couple.
Historical romance featuring one or both protagonists as a spy is usually a hit or miss for me based on my personal preferences. Sometimes you just have these characters that are so emotionally disconnected because of their work, I feel like the growth to a full blown romantic interest is too much of a jump. That's how I felt with Derick in this novel. He just ruined it for me...like the worst kind of narcissist that was just all over the place. Derick seemed like an interesting character when he was introduced in Sweet Enemy, but what a waste he turned out to be. Snow really didn’t know who he was...and I know he says at one point even he doesn’t know who he is anymore, so maybe this whole experience was intentional, but that just doesn’t work for me. I didn’t feel anything for him and I certainly didn’t believe his transition.
I have to say this biggest disappointment was his egotism towards Emma's feelings. It was like nails on a chalkboard. For the first half of the book he was picking apart how much Emma desired him and loved him...constantly saying he could see it in her eyes...or the way she held her hands. He could tell how deep her feelings were. This was so early in the book, and Derick made it clear he in no way reciprocated these feelings. He lusted after her, sure...but he wasn't emotionally involved like she was.
Derick decides at one point (this is still very early in the book) to prove to Emma how "visible" her feelings are...so he whispers a few proactive clues, places his hands on certain points of her body...all to basically say "Hey! You have the hots for me....you lust after me." Whatever...but they're AT A FUNERAL when he does this. A. FUNERAL. I personally felt that was just so insulting to Emma. Not only that Derick was being crude, but that Emma's feelings were so powerful, so overwhelming (i.e. she’s predictable, inferior, just another pawn) that Derick had to prove to her she couldn't even control herself during a time of mourning. Like he was pulling apart her weakness...her "tells."
I get that this is what he’s done for the last 10 plus years as I spy. I get that he used his sexual prowess in the bedroom to win the war so this is probably a gut reaction for him...but is he not smart enough to realize Emma is NOT a spy and he doesn’t have to fuck the answer out of her? What a lucky guy he is to be the one spy dedicated to using his penis to get all the secrets. I guess I should have felt sorry that he had to whore himself out for England, but I didn’t. But what guy...seriously...what guy tells the girl he just slept with (her first time of course with the guy she has spent half her life in love with)...that he spent the last 10 years sleeping with a different woman each night. WHAT???????? Her mathematician brain thought he was serious! He knew how she LOVED HIM, PINED FOR HIM...for literally her entire life. Gahhh. I hate it. Fucking hate it. And why did we just gloss over the fact that he killed people??? Why does he have so much guilt that he slept with half of France, but not that he killed people????
In case you haven’t caught on at this point, this book made me very angry.
He was not like this with Liliana...not at all. He didn’t make advances on her or suggestive comments...he was sweet, kind considerate. The role he was supposed to play...I get it...but why in the world was this acceptable behavior with Emma? How was this romantic? For someone that was supposed to be a fabulous actor as a spy he sure did everything wrong with Emma.
And Emma is just treated as some discarded animal, living in Derbyshire...licking her wounds...pining (and I stress pining) after the man that left her alone over a decade ago. It's too much. She figures out his story fairly quickly, and that's great and all...good for her. But Derick just wasn't worth her time...yet despite that she can't help herself. She keeps trying to manipulate Derick into this relationship...into something he clearly is not...and I just couldn't stand it. It wasn't romantic...it was desperate and I hated seeing a heroine in that position.
Not a fan...not a fan at all of this couple.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
I enjoyed Sweet Deception almost as much as I enjoyed Sweet Enemy. The Veiled Seduction trilogy is one that I found immensely refreshing with its well researched ideas of history, science, and politics. This is a novel and a trilogy I would recommend to fans of historical romance looking for a feeling of research and believability while still maintaining the sweetness of a romance novel.
Derick's role as a spy is no new concept, not for historicals, not for romances, not for fiction in general. It still managed to feel fresh however, and his feeling of unworthiness added a lot to the believability of his character. Emma's devotion to her role in the community, her devotion to mathematics and criminology, made her intensely likeable in my opinion. Emma is a woman out of her time who seems to still fit perfectly within her time. The concepts that Snow has included and adapted for this time in history are fascinating and it made the writing feel even more real because of it.
Together the characters worked well and had a sweet love story. The romance never suffers at all for the sake of the research that the author included.
I enjoyed this novel and the trilogy as a whole a great deal and I really hope that Heather Snow releases more work.
Derick's role as a spy is no new concept, not for historicals, not for romances, not for fiction in general. It still managed to feel fresh however, and his feeling of unworthiness added a lot to the believability of his character. Emma's devotion to her role in the community, her devotion to mathematics and criminology, made her intensely likeable in my opinion. Emma is a woman out of her time who seems to still fit perfectly within her time. The concepts that Snow has included and adapted for this time in history are fascinating and it made the writing feel even more real because of it.
Together the characters worked well and had a sweet love story. The romance never suffers at all for the sake of the research that the author included.
I enjoyed this novel and the trilogy as a whole a great deal and I really hope that Heather Snow releases more work.
kaleskorner's review
3.0
The best part of this book was the mystery and the fact that Emma was a mathematician. I LOVED those parts. Heather Snow has a way of crafting a story that makes me care about the romance, yes, but also about what's going on around the romance. There are some romance books that don't do that for me and that's twice now that Heather Snow's managed to do it. Murder, intrigue, romance, deception, I am down for it.
Also Emma was wonderful as a heroine. She was a little self-deprecating at times but I liked that she learned to overcome that. It wasn't stated but I'm pretty sure she was somewhere on the spectrum with her brilliant, analytical and literal way of thinking. Give me that all, day every day. She was wonderful.
As for Derick, he was kind of a butt at points. I hated his literal nature because while Emma's was endearing, his was plain annoying. I liked that he was a spy and that he had such a conflicting history but there were so many points I wanted to shake him and just say "Get your head our of your ass". But again, he learns to care for Emma which is good and I like their dynamic as it develops. Except for the fact that he kept calling her Pygmy when she didn't want him to. Respect the woman, damn it, when she tells you she doesn't want you to do something!!
I didn't love it as much as I loved the first one, which is okay and understandable, because I wasn't as into the couple this time around. I liked, though, that they were older which was good. And I really liked the mystery, even though I called it. And Heather Snow's writing, was, once again, on point.
So yes, a solid good romance, but nothing spectacular to push it over the top for me.
Conclusion: Keep
Also Emma was wonderful as a heroine. She was a little self-deprecating at times but I liked that she learned to overcome that. It wasn't stated but I'm pretty sure she was somewhere on the spectrum with her brilliant, analytical and literal way of thinking. Give me that all, day every day. She was wonderful.
As for Derick, he was kind of a butt at points. I hated his literal nature because while Emma's was endearing, his was plain annoying. I liked that he was a spy and that he had such a conflicting history but there were so many points I wanted to shake him and just say "Get your head our of your ass". But again, he learns to care for Emma which is good and I like their dynamic as it develops. Except for the fact that he kept calling her Pygmy when she didn't want him to. Respect the woman, damn it, when she tells you she doesn't want you to do something!!
I didn't love it as much as I loved the first one, which is okay and understandable, because I wasn't as into the couple this time around. I liked, though, that they were older which was good. And I really liked the mystery, even though I called it. And Heather Snow's writing, was, once again, on point.
So yes, a solid good romance, but nothing spectacular to push it over the top for me.
Conclusion: Keep
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