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Sweet Deception
After killing her husband in self-defense, Thomasina Waxton flees her home, takes the name of Ellen Scarlet, and builds a new life for herself on the London stage. Original.
432 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2026
This was a wild ride, action-packed, over the top and so dramatic! Which I completely mean in an entertaining time. Read it for book club and this book definitely allows for so much conversation.
Thomasina’s father loses their family’s lands when the story starts, she’s 13/14 and told that he arranged her to marry the Earl of Waxton (a man 40 years older than her). The story jumps 8 years later, Thomasina has been living as a virgin bride, constantly abused from her husband, locked up, and treated as a possession. She ends up find a letter including his name and some of his terrible friends, she uses it as blackmail potential and wants an annulment in exchange. Which leads to a fight and her eventually killing him in self-defense. She runs off and her life takes a turn after she finds a protector who rescues her (Richard) and takes her in. We cut to 2 years later again and now Thomasinq is living in London with Richard, she’s a successful actress and goes by Ellen with her newly red (dyed) hair. Then enters Gavin, he shows up from America to find out about his older brother’s death and to get vengeance against the woman who killed him…all while he falls for Ellen, the actress he meets.
The romance was pretty great between Gavin and Ellen, very hot and cold of her pushing him away, they’re both hiding their identities from one another for a bit of the book (her the longest). All while a villain (her late husband’s gross friend) is after her, lots of attacks, fleeing, dangerous situations, being on the run, push and pull between her and Gavin, etc. Literally non-stop adventure and dramatic plot lines, but kept it entertaining! This is an older historical romance so just know it does have problematic language at times and the fact that Gavin owns a plantation in Maryland.
Thomasina’s father loses their family’s lands when the story starts, she’s 13/14 and told that he arranged her to marry the Earl of Waxton (a man 40 years older than her). The story jumps 8 years later, Thomasina has been living as a virgin bride, constantly abused from her husband, locked up, and treated as a possession. She ends up find a letter including his name and some of his terrible friends, she uses it as blackmail potential and wants an annulment in exchange. Which leads to a fight and her eventually killing him in self-defense. She runs off and her life takes a turn after she finds a protector who rescues her (Richard) and takes her in. We cut to 2 years later again and now Thomasinq is living in London with Richard, she’s a successful actress and goes by Ellen with her newly red (dyed) hair. Then enters Gavin, he shows up from America to find out about his older brother’s death and to get vengeance against the woman who killed him…all while he falls for Ellen, the actress he meets.
The romance was pretty great between Gavin and Ellen, very hot and cold of her pushing him away, they’re both hiding their identities from one another for a bit of the book (her the longest). All while a villain (her late husband’s gross friend) is after her, lots of attacks, fleeing, dangerous situations, being on the run, push and pull between her and Gavin, etc. Literally non-stop adventure and dramatic plot lines, but kept it entertaining! This is an older historical romance so just know it does have problematic language at times and the fact that Gavin owns a plantation in Maryland.
June 29, 2019
Couldn't put it down!
March 26, 2013
I read this book like 100 years ago and I still love it. I can still remember it so vividly. One of my favorite historical romances without a doubt! Read it! =)
June 25, 2026
I read this for the Historical Hellions bookclub, April 2026 pick.
4 ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
I read this one over the course of two months... yeah I know. I felt like this one felt pretty slow up until the 60% mark. The worst factor that contributed to this was the fact that I just did not care or connect with our two mc's. I can't put my finger on any specific reason I think it was just a "me" thing. The one character I did connect with was my baby, Richard. Ughhh!!! Iykyk. I definitely shed a tear at the end. When his character was introduced, I really thought he was going to be the love interest and I just couldn't get it out of my head the whole time that the book would have been leagues better if that were the case. Nothing against Gavin, I just feel like he gave nothing the whole book lol. The reason that Richard and Ellen "couldn't be together" was just too flimsy for me (even though they literally said they loved each other) but obviously the author never intended to put them together.
The last 40% really flew for me though and garnered another half star for itself. Most of this can probably be attributed to the fact that I found a physical copy of it deep in the depths of my embarrassing book hoard, which was THE BEST surprise!!! The ending was great and by the end I could actually see myself rereading it eventually!
Another great book club pick! But aren't the oldies are always good?!
4 ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
I read this one over the course of two months... yeah I know. I felt like this one felt pretty slow up until the 60% mark. The worst factor that contributed to this was the fact that I just did not care or connect with our two mc's. I can't put my finger on any specific reason I think it was just a "me" thing. The one character I did connect with was my baby, Richard. Ughhh!!! Iykyk. I definitely shed a tear at the end. When his character was introduced, I really thought he was going to be the love interest and I just couldn't get it out of my head the whole time that the book would have been leagues better if that were the case. Nothing against Gavin, I just feel like he gave nothing the whole book lol. The reason that Richard and Ellen "couldn't be together" was just too flimsy for me (even though they literally said they loved each other) but obviously the author never intended to put them together.
The last 40% really flew for me though and garnered another half star for itself. Most of this can probably be attributed to the fact that I found a physical copy of it deep in the depths of my embarrassing book hoard, which was THE BEST surprise!!! The ending was great and by the end I could actually see myself rereading it eventually!
Another great book club pick! But aren't the oldies are always good?!
May 22, 2026
3.75 stars.
An easy, enjoyable and adventurous read. I liked the characters and the story was fully engaging without any pacing issues. There were some problematic issues, including language due to the time it was written and set. Nothing was too egregious though. I did think the ending was a bit hurried. I would have liked for there to be more time spent on resolving the conflict. There was also a bit of a loose end left dangling which is rather frustrating. Still, if you like old-school historical romances, this is a good one.
An easy, enjoyable and adventurous read. I liked the characters and the story was fully engaging without any pacing issues. There were some problematic issues, including language due to the time it was written and set. Nothing was too egregious though. I did think the ending was a bit hurried. I would have liked for there to be more time spent on resolving the conflict. There was also a bit of a loose end left dangling which is rather frustrating. Still, if you like old-school historical romances, this is a good one.
December 2, 2018
Deception
This is an excellent book! The characters are well developed and engaging. It is amazing all that Ellen has endured. Richard rescues her from an evil man. Richard is so kind and giving even though he has suffered unspeakable things. Gavin sees Ellen and instantly wants her. Has to have her, but Ellen has to keep her past a secret. I didn't want to put this book down, at times it was very intense or had me laughing out loud.
This is an excellent book! The characters are well developed and engaging. It is amazing all that Ellen has endured. Richard rescues her from an evil man. Richard is so kind and giving even though he has suffered unspeakable things. Gavin sees Ellen and instantly wants her. Has to have her, but Ellen has to keep her past a secret. I didn't want to put this book down, at times it was very intense or had me laughing out loud.
March 4, 2013
A little different but pretty good!
March 27, 2017
Thomasina Waxton killed her husband after years of abuse. All I can say is read the book. Mystery, Romance, it has it all.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews