What do you think?
Rate this book
The Thief Takers #3
A Dangerous Deceit
When Miss Jane Ballenger unexpectedly inherits her brother’s worldly goods—the furniture, paintings and bric-a-brac on which he frittered away their entire family fortune—the only thing to do is catalog the lot of it and sell it off piece by piece. How else will she continue to support Twillins Cottage, the one place she feels safe? Born with a peculiar hearing problem, Jane has long kept to her isolated home in the woods, content with the company of a few close friends, and far removed from those who would brand her an idiot and consign her to life in an asylum. So when the devilishly charming private investigator, Sir Gabriel Arkwright, turns up on her doorstep to claim her new belongings in the name of the crown, she'll do whatever it takes to protect her refuge, her loved-ones, and her well-guarded secret. Even if it means employing a bit of deception.
There are few things in life Sir Gabriel Arkwright enjoys more than a good mystery, especially when it’s a woman. Ever ready to take on an interesting puzzle, he’s determined to learn why the enigmatic Miss Ballenger has hidden herself away from the world. Before he can hope to ferret out the truth, however, Jane unearths national secrets hidden amongst her brother’s possessions. Now Gabriel must decide what’s more important, keeping state secrets out of the hands of a double agent, or protecting the woman who is quickly becoming more to him than just another mystery to solve...
There are few things in life Sir Gabriel Arkwright enjoys more than a good mystery, especially when it’s a woman. Ever ready to take on an interesting puzzle, he’s determined to learn why the enigmatic Miss Ballenger has hidden herself away from the world. Before he can hope to ferret out the truth, however, Jane unearths national secrets hidden amongst her brother’s possessions. Now Gabriel must decide what’s more important, keeping state secrets out of the hands of a double agent, or protecting the woman who is quickly becoming more to him than just another mystery to solve...
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2017
365 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Alissa Johnson
19 books368 followersAlissa Johnson lives in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, where she is hard at work on her next romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 26, 2017
I'v given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
I am at a loss to understand why Alissa Johnson doesn’t seem to get the same kind of attention afforded to the ‘big-name’ authors of historical romance. Every book of hers I’ve read has been superbly written, featuring well-drawn, three-dimensional characters, a well-constructed plot, subtle humour and a beautifully developed romance – yet for some reason, she’s very underrated. This third book in her Thief Takers series is another intelligently crafted character-driven romance, this time featuring a devilishly charming private investigator and a most unusual heroine who are forced to go on the run in order to protect some sensitive government information.
A Dangerous Deceit begins when Miss Jane Ballenger opens her front door on the extremely attractive face and person of Sir Gabriel Arkwright, one of the famous Thief Takers, a trio of former police officers who became instant celebrities when they solved a high-profile case of theft and rescued a duchess some ten or eleven years earlier. The most senior officer – Owen Renderwell – received a viscountcy and his colleagues, Arkwright and Samuel Brass were knighted; and the three of them went into business together as private investigators. Renderwell’s and Sir Samuel’s stories are told in the two previous books (A Talent for Trickery and A Gift for Guile), but all three work perfectly well as standalones – although I’d definitely recommend reading them, as they’re every bit as well-written and enjoyable as this one.
Sir Gabriel explains that he has been engaged by the Foreign Office to come to Jane’s remote cottage in order to retrieve some important information that is hidden among the personal effects belonging to her late brother, Edgar. Edgar spent the past fifteen years living the high life in St. Petersburg, frittering away his sister’s fortune as well as his own, leaving Jane with next to nothing. Now she is faced with the prospect of selling off his possessions so that she can keep a roof over her head and continue to support herself and the Harmons, the couple who have lived with her and looked after her since she was ten years old.
Jane is flustered – her tiny cottage is crammed to the rafters with trunks and boxes and God knows what else – but isn’t about to let someone waltz off with what is likely her only source of funds without some sort of security and insists that Sir Gabriel sign a contract promising the return of the goods once he has found what he is looking for.
Gabriel is not pleased at the delay, knowing that the information he is seeking poses a great danger to Jane and her household. But he plays along and agrees to Jane’s terms, arranging for his team of handpicked men to make a start on the search as soon as they have finalised their agreement. When, however, a group of men headed by Foreign Office agent Oscar Kray arrives instead of the team he had requested, Gabriel realises something is wrong, and quickly and quietly gets Jane and the Harmons away from the cottage and into the village. It soon becomes clear that isn’t going to be far enough away and that Kray will stop at nothing to get hold of the paperwork he believes Gabriel has already found and appropriated.
From then on in, the story becomes a road-trip/adventure yarn whereby Gabriel and Jane have to evade the clutches of Kray and his team and get the sensitive paperwork sent back by Edgar into the right hands. The couple has to get out of some tight spots and there’s never a dull moment, but there’s time for romance and getting to know each other, too – and it’s here that Ms. Johnson’s gifts for storytelling and characterisation really come into their own. While Gabriel and Jane fall in love over a very short time – just a few days – they are so well-developed as characters, and their affinity for each other is so strong that it feels as though they – and we – have known each other for far longer, so there is never the sense that things between them are progressing too quickly.
Gabriel is gorgeous – handsome, charming and protective, he’s the perfect hero. Almost. Because he’s also devious and manipulative, and he lies to Jane repeatedly throughout the course of the story. The earlier books in the series have shown Gabriel to be incredibly good at reading people and thus working out exactly how to approach them to get the desired result. Jane, however presents more of a challenge than anyone he’s ever met; she’s rude, she doesn’t appear to have a sense of humour, she’s easily distracted, she’s fiercely independent … and it’s difficult to get a read on her, which makes Gabriel’s job that bit trickier. He hates lying to Jane and hates himself for doing it, but ultimately, everything he says and does is because he wants to keep her safe. He’s also extremely kind, sensitive and understanding, seeing what Jane terms her ‘affliction’ as a set of quirks, for the first time affording her the chance to find out what it might be like to have the one thing she has always believed to be beyond her reach – a normal life.
Ms. Johnson says in her author’s note that she set herself quite the challenge when she decided to write a heroine with CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder). Of course, in the late Victorian era, when this book is set, the condition was unknown, and people who had it were dismissed as being, at best, hard of hearing, or at worst, imbecilic, deviant or even insane. Jane is none of those things of course – but the treatment she received at the hands of her family, and mistakes she has made as a result of misunderstandings have made her very wary of mixing with people and fearful of being mocked and shunned. One website I visited in an attempt to find out more said that people with this condition “can’t process what they hear in the same way other people do because their ears and brain don’t fully coordinate. Something interferes with the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, especially speech.” – and the author does an absolutely terrific job of showing how this affects Jane, right from the opening lines:
“Hit a miss dress a tome?”
Jane Ballenger carefully considered these six words and the gentleman on her doorstep who had just delivered them.
He didn’t look like a madman.
…
“Is she at home? She should be expecting me.”
At home… A tome
Miss dress. Mistress
Mistress at home.
Is your mistress at home?
The condition is not limited to these sorts of mix-ups; sometimes, for example, it affects Jane’s ability to remember information, or to pick out one person’s words from a noisy background. Ms. Johnson portrays the disorder subtly and sensitively, showing clearly that Jane is so much more than her ‘affliction’; that she’s an intelligent, insightful and compassionate human being with some ‘quirks’ (Gabriel’s term) that don’t define her and shouldn’t be allowed to limit her.
Gabriel’s unconditional acceptance of Jane is what turns him into the best type of romantic hero. His own backstory and the intrinsic self-loathing that accompanies his lies and manipulations add depth and colour to his personality, but his perceptiveness and understanding when it comes to Jane and his willingness to compromise for her sake are what make him that little bit special and elevate him from your run-of-the-mill dashing hero into one who is admirable and entirely loveable.
<A Dangerous Deceit is a book to be savoured, even though I was unable to resist devouring it in a couple of sittings! The romance is sweet and tender – but not without its heated moments – and the adventure plot is solidly developed and skilfully incorporated into the romantic storyline without overshadowing it. Characters from the earlier books make cameo appearances, and I especially appreciated another glimpse of the strong and highly entertaining friendship that exists between Gabriel, Samuel and Renderwell. Fans of character-driven historical romance shouldn’t miss it, and I really hope to read more from Ms. Johnson in the not too distant future.
I am at a loss to understand why Alissa Johnson doesn’t seem to get the same kind of attention afforded to the ‘big-name’ authors of historical romance. Every book of hers I’ve read has been superbly written, featuring well-drawn, three-dimensional characters, a well-constructed plot, subtle humour and a beautifully developed romance – yet for some reason, she’s very underrated. This third book in her Thief Takers series is another intelligently crafted character-driven romance, this time featuring a devilishly charming private investigator and a most unusual heroine who are forced to go on the run in order to protect some sensitive government information.
A Dangerous Deceit begins when Miss Jane Ballenger opens her front door on the extremely attractive face and person of Sir Gabriel Arkwright, one of the famous Thief Takers, a trio of former police officers who became instant celebrities when they solved a high-profile case of theft and rescued a duchess some ten or eleven years earlier. The most senior officer – Owen Renderwell – received a viscountcy and his colleagues, Arkwright and Samuel Brass were knighted; and the three of them went into business together as private investigators. Renderwell’s and Sir Samuel’s stories are told in the two previous books (A Talent for Trickery and A Gift for Guile), but all three work perfectly well as standalones – although I’d definitely recommend reading them, as they’re every bit as well-written and enjoyable as this one.
Sir Gabriel explains that he has been engaged by the Foreign Office to come to Jane’s remote cottage in order to retrieve some important information that is hidden among the personal effects belonging to her late brother, Edgar. Edgar spent the past fifteen years living the high life in St. Petersburg, frittering away his sister’s fortune as well as his own, leaving Jane with next to nothing. Now she is faced with the prospect of selling off his possessions so that she can keep a roof over her head and continue to support herself and the Harmons, the couple who have lived with her and looked after her since she was ten years old.
Jane is flustered – her tiny cottage is crammed to the rafters with trunks and boxes and God knows what else – but isn’t about to let someone waltz off with what is likely her only source of funds without some sort of security and insists that Sir Gabriel sign a contract promising the return of the goods once he has found what he is looking for.
Gabriel is not pleased at the delay, knowing that the information he is seeking poses a great danger to Jane and her household. But he plays along and agrees to Jane’s terms, arranging for his team of handpicked men to make a start on the search as soon as they have finalised their agreement. When, however, a group of men headed by Foreign Office agent Oscar Kray arrives instead of the team he had requested, Gabriel realises something is wrong, and quickly and quietly gets Jane and the Harmons away from the cottage and into the village. It soon becomes clear that isn’t going to be far enough away and that Kray will stop at nothing to get hold of the paperwork he believes Gabriel has already found and appropriated.
From then on in, the story becomes a road-trip/adventure yarn whereby Gabriel and Jane have to evade the clutches of Kray and his team and get the sensitive paperwork sent back by Edgar into the right hands. The couple has to get out of some tight spots and there’s never a dull moment, but there’s time for romance and getting to know each other, too – and it’s here that Ms. Johnson’s gifts for storytelling and characterisation really come into their own. While Gabriel and Jane fall in love over a very short time – just a few days – they are so well-developed as characters, and their affinity for each other is so strong that it feels as though they – and we – have known each other for far longer, so there is never the sense that things between them are progressing too quickly.
Gabriel is gorgeous – handsome, charming and protective, he’s the perfect hero. Almost. Because he’s also devious and manipulative, and he lies to Jane repeatedly throughout the course of the story. The earlier books in the series have shown Gabriel to be incredibly good at reading people and thus working out exactly how to approach them to get the desired result. Jane, however presents more of a challenge than anyone he’s ever met; she’s rude, she doesn’t appear to have a sense of humour, she’s easily distracted, she’s fiercely independent … and it’s difficult to get a read on her, which makes Gabriel’s job that bit trickier. He hates lying to Jane and hates himself for doing it, but ultimately, everything he says and does is because he wants to keep her safe. He’s also extremely kind, sensitive and understanding, seeing what Jane terms her ‘affliction’ as a set of quirks, for the first time affording her the chance to find out what it might be like to have the one thing she has always believed to be beyond her reach – a normal life.
Ms. Johnson says in her author’s note that she set herself quite the challenge when she decided to write a heroine with CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder). Of course, in the late Victorian era, when this book is set, the condition was unknown, and people who had it were dismissed as being, at best, hard of hearing, or at worst, imbecilic, deviant or even insane. Jane is none of those things of course – but the treatment she received at the hands of her family, and mistakes she has made as a result of misunderstandings have made her very wary of mixing with people and fearful of being mocked and shunned. One website I visited in an attempt to find out more said that people with this condition “can’t process what they hear in the same way other people do because their ears and brain don’t fully coordinate. Something interferes with the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, especially speech.” – and the author does an absolutely terrific job of showing how this affects Jane, right from the opening lines:
“Hit a miss dress a tome?”
Jane Ballenger carefully considered these six words and the gentleman on her doorstep who had just delivered them.
He didn’t look like a madman.
…
“Is she at home? She should be expecting me.”
At home… A tome
Miss dress. Mistress
Mistress at home.
Is your mistress at home?
The condition is not limited to these sorts of mix-ups; sometimes, for example, it affects Jane’s ability to remember information, or to pick out one person’s words from a noisy background. Ms. Johnson portrays the disorder subtly and sensitively, showing clearly that Jane is so much more than her ‘affliction’; that she’s an intelligent, insightful and compassionate human being with some ‘quirks’ (Gabriel’s term) that don’t define her and shouldn’t be allowed to limit her.
Gabriel’s unconditional acceptance of Jane is what turns him into the best type of romantic hero. His own backstory and the intrinsic self-loathing that accompanies his lies and manipulations add depth and colour to his personality, but his perceptiveness and understanding when it comes to Jane and his willingness to compromise for her sake are what make him that little bit special and elevate him from your run-of-the-mill dashing hero into one who is admirable and entirely loveable.
<A Dangerous Deceit is a book to be savoured, even though I was unable to resist devouring it in a couple of sittings! The romance is sweet and tender – but not without its heated moments – and the adventure plot is solidly developed and skilfully incorporated into the romantic storyline without overshadowing it. Characters from the earlier books make cameo appearances, and I especially appreciated another glimpse of the strong and highly entertaining friendship that exists between Gabriel, Samuel and Renderwell. Fans of character-driven historical romance shouldn’t miss it, and I really hope to read more from Ms. Johnson in the not too distant future.
May 30, 2017
This book is very well worth reading if not for eveyrthing else then for the heroine! Just WOW!!!
As the author says the heroine has a CAPD (central audiotory processing disorder) which affects her life in a very bad way. She's sometimes unable to hear and sometimes she's unable to use the correct word, so the people, who were not familiar with this kind of disorders in that era, think of her or as a crazy lunatic or a recluse (which she is!).
Her condition is wonderfully described and shown since the very first page:
Hit a miss dress a tome?
That's what she hears when she opens the door of her home to the hero. Only after she gets what he said:
At home... A tome
Miss dress...Mistress
Mistress at home...
Is your mistress at home?
Isn't it clevery done?
The story is pretty much centered on Jane and Gabriel running from a villain and trying to loose him. It's their forced being together that makes them discover each others flaws and merits.
I loved how Gabriel was able to appreciate Jane's better qualities and to overlook her quirks as he saw them.
Also his habit of lying and his inability to stop lying and manipulating others have a painful (for him) reason. But, for Jane he's ready to try and slowly gets better, but never looses the habit completely.
Both are sweet and honest and their love story is touching and tender.
As the author says the heroine has a CAPD (central audiotory processing disorder) which affects her life in a very bad way. She's sometimes unable to hear and sometimes she's unable to use the correct word, so the people, who were not familiar with this kind of disorders in that era, think of her or as a crazy lunatic or a recluse (which she is!).
Her condition is wonderfully described and shown since the very first page:
Hit a miss dress a tome?
That's what she hears when she opens the door of her home to the hero. Only after she gets what he said:
At home... A tome
Miss dress...Mistress
Mistress at home...
Is your mistress at home?
Isn't it clevery done?
The story is pretty much centered on Jane and Gabriel running from a villain and trying to loose him. It's their forced being together that makes them discover each others flaws and merits.
I loved how Gabriel was able to appreciate Jane's better qualities and to overlook her quirks as he saw them.
Also his habit of lying and his inability to stop lying and manipulating others have a painful (for him) reason. But, for Jane he's ready to try and slowly gets better, but never looses the habit completely.
Both are sweet and honest and their love story is touching and tender.
October 25, 2023
Thanks to Tenley's review for bringing this book to my attention! A Dangerous Deceit is the third book in the series, but stands alone well (which is good since I haven't read the others and now have to circle around). A lot is happening with the main characters being actively hunted and trying to both draw attention to themselves, as well as keep from actually being caught. But what the author did even better than the tension of the life and death hide and seek happening was the character depth and portrayal. I'm such a sucker lately for well-drawn and likable characters that I want to hug because of their past or current struggles. Jane (h) and Gabriel (H) fit all of that and even when they were keeping a secret from the other or not communicating as well, I still 100% was in love with them.
Jane is a hermit who has a hearing condition and what I took to be some degree of neurodivergent behavior. She's smart, resourceful, and still suffers from the wounds of the past where she was punished for her differences and the times she was humiliated or made to feel awkward. Gabriel enters her world as he's a private investigator sent to retrieve something of national secrecy that is included in Jane's late brother's belongings. Gabriel is charming and famous for being a thief taker, but has a secretive past that eats at him, one that even his closest companions have no clue about. He's used to manipulating and presenting certain facades as needed, but Jane baffles him, in the best way. Even though Gabriel is aware that Jane and her household are in potential danger, when it's actualized, he's forced to scramble to protect them. This leads to a flight across the countryside, dodging of violent enemies, and all the forced proximity (including one horse). Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, h is a virgin and H is not (some general info given on his history that makes it clear he was good with women, but unknown how long it had been and no mention of keeping mistresses or anything).
I'm not usually a fan of characters keeping secrets from each other, but in this case, Jane being unwilling to volunteer her past and her challenges made absolute sense. Gabriel not wanting to expose vulnerabilities that he had never shared with anyone was also completely understandable. I was just waiting though for when Jane's finagling to hide parts of herself would come to light and then when Gabriel might reciprocally open up. I loved their banter and the little ways that they connected or alternately confused each other. This was an emotional read at times esp because of Jane's self-doubts and intrusive thoughts. The romance is a slow build and had some push and pull. There is a small amount of steam, that's one scene which is not overly explicit though. I don't read much non-smutty romance, I own up to that, and while I missed the higher dose of steam I'm used to, I still fully enjoyed the romantic journey.
I enjoyed the plot progression with the antagonists chasing and surprising Gabriel. He has more on the line than his usual cases because he's enchanted by Jane and therefore feeling fear he doesn't usually. He also has to learn how to include her in his plans, since his default is protection without information sharing, but there's definitely friction over this. I liked that most of the book is just Gabriel and Jane vs. the villains with the side characters featuring mostly at the start and then the end, which included the couples from the first two books. The potential is also there for Jane to form new, positive female friendships, but sadly that's not completely actualized on the page.
I thought the ultimate showdown was appropriately gripping, but the pacing of it was very quick. Gabriel losing his mind during and after because he's overprotective was fantastic though. I really enjoyed the ending with how they discuss their future relationship and the talk of feelings, but I needed more at the end with an epilogue or another chapter to give me that fulfilling settled feeling of what their life was going to be not on the run. Still, this was a fun read with a strong emotional vein in addition to the suspenseful plot and I do think some of my historical loving friends would also enjoy.
Link to Tenley's review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jane is a hermit who has a hearing condition and what I took to be some degree of neurodivergent behavior. She's smart, resourceful, and still suffers from the wounds of the past where she was punished for her differences and the times she was humiliated or made to feel awkward. Gabriel enters her world as he's a private investigator sent to retrieve something of national secrecy that is included in Jane's late brother's belongings. Gabriel is charming and famous for being a thief taker, but has a secretive past that eats at him, one that even his closest companions have no clue about. He's used to manipulating and presenting certain facades as needed, but Jane baffles him, in the best way. Even though Gabriel is aware that Jane and her household are in potential danger, when it's actualized, he's forced to scramble to protect them. This leads to a flight across the countryside, dodging of violent enemies, and all the forced proximity (including one horse). Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, h is a virgin and H is not (some general info given on his history that makes it clear he was good with women, but unknown how long it had been and no mention of keeping mistresses or anything).
I'm not usually a fan of characters keeping secrets from each other, but in this case, Jane being unwilling to volunteer her past and her challenges made absolute sense. Gabriel not wanting to expose vulnerabilities that he had never shared with anyone was also completely understandable. I was just waiting though for when Jane's finagling to hide parts of herself would come to light and then when Gabriel might reciprocally open up. I loved their banter and the little ways that they connected or alternately confused each other. This was an emotional read at times esp because of Jane's self-doubts and intrusive thoughts. The romance is a slow build and had some push and pull. There is a small amount of steam, that's one scene which is not overly explicit though. I don't read much non-smutty romance, I own up to that, and while I missed the higher dose of steam I'm used to, I still fully enjoyed the romantic journey.
I enjoyed the plot progression with the antagonists chasing and surprising Gabriel. He has more on the line than his usual cases because he's enchanted by Jane and therefore feeling fear he doesn't usually. He also has to learn how to include her in his plans, since his default is protection without information sharing, but there's definitely friction over this. I liked that most of the book is just Gabriel and Jane vs. the villains with the side characters featuring mostly at the start and then the end, which included the couples from the first two books. The potential is also there for Jane to form new, positive female friendships, but sadly that's not completely actualized on the page.
I thought the ultimate showdown was appropriately gripping, but the pacing of it was very quick. Gabriel losing his mind during and after because he's overprotective was fantastic though. I really enjoyed the ending with how they discuss their future relationship and the talk of feelings, but I needed more at the end with an epilogue or another chapter to give me that fulfilling settled feeling of what their life was going to be not on the run. Still, this was a fun read with a strong emotional vein in addition to the suspenseful plot and I do think some of my historical loving friends would also enjoy.
Link to Tenley's review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 8, 2017
If this were the only Alissa Johnson book I've ever read, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. As it is, I've read all of her previous books, so this rates a 1.5 star. Where to start with this one...I'm not even sure. Let me just list the likes and dislikes like I used to. I'm sorry if this couldn't be more constructive and if this ends up being more of a rant than anything.
***spoiler ahead***
What I liked:
1) Alissa Johnson's writing. While it's definitely modern, with very little historical feel to it, it's easy to read and doesn't make me feel like I'm losing brain cells by the word.
2) The dual povs, although I couldn't have done without the H's thoughts about all the ow he's ever been with. (I guess his pov should really be put in the "didn't like" section.) I know it was supposed to make the reader realize that what he feels for the h is special but it usually has the opposite effect for me. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned that way. Would I want to be the last one of many? The one who tames the stallion/lion/dragon/insert whatever other super macho animal here? The answer is no. No, I don't. That's just my personal preference, but it's also why I think manwhores are gross. (No offense to those who don't agree.)
3) The affliction that the h has. It's original and I'd never heard of it before. The author does a wonderful job conveying how utterly frustrating and subsequently demoralizing it is to struggle with something so misunderstood.
4) Seeing the previous MCs of this series is nice, even though I didn't enjoy their stories all that much either. Strange that.
5) There was absolutely no ow/om drama.
What I didn't like:
1) I'm just disappointed with this author. Yet again. I keep hoping that she'll write a different kind of h, but she never does. They're always weak, with low self esteem, less beautiful than their male counterpart, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, I think I will stop reading her books. Because while I enjoy how she writes, the way the H always saves the h from her humdrum reclusive life, revives her previous passions, and inspires her to try for a better life just doesn't agree with me. While I may not be a hardcore feminist, I do think that women should be able make their own choices and feel proud of them without the help of a man. And she definitely shouldn't be doing those things for a man, or because said man encouraged her to do it and all of a sudden she believes she can. Also, the way that almost every single h in Alissa Johnson's stories has sex with the respective H just doesn't seem true to the time period in which the stories occur. I just don't believe that the h will be so willing to give up her respectability and run the risk of becoming pregnant, all because of lust. Or passion. Or whatever. Without any promise of marriage or protection or anything. Because that just makes the h stupid, naive, or both. And that's not a quality I look for in the h of the story I'm reading.
2) I don't think the author meant for it to seem like the H takes advantage of the h, but it looks like he does or at the very least has a complete lack of self control. The situation the MCs find themselves in would probably make most readers uncomfortable. They're on the run, she's in danger, and he's appointed himself her protector and guardian. He's super experienced with women while she's a virgin. He's in complete control and hiding things from her while she's vulnerable. Those are the circumstances that surround her deflowering.
3) Because she's a virgin. Of course.
4) All the secrets and lies. The delicious angst that accompanies a well told story based on lies is missing in this book. Instead I found myself annoyed and had to compel myself to finish just so I could find out what the big deals are.
***spoiler ahead***
What I liked:
1) Alissa Johnson's writing. While it's definitely modern, with very little historical feel to it, it's easy to read and doesn't make me feel like I'm losing brain cells by the word.
2) The dual povs, although I couldn't have done without the H's thoughts about all the ow he's ever been with. (I guess his pov should really be put in the "didn't like" section.) I know it was supposed to make the reader realize that what he feels for the h is special but it usually has the opposite effect for me. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned that way. Would I want to be the last one of many? The one who tames the stallion/lion/dragon/insert whatever other super macho animal here? The answer is no. No, I don't. That's just my personal preference, but it's also why I think manwhores are gross. (No offense to those who don't agree.)
3) The affliction that the h has. It's original and I'd never heard of it before. The author does a wonderful job conveying how utterly frustrating and subsequently demoralizing it is to struggle with something so misunderstood.
4) Seeing the previous MCs of this series is nice, even though I didn't enjoy their stories all that much either. Strange that.
5) There was absolutely no ow/om drama.
What I didn't like:
1) I'm just disappointed with this author. Yet again. I keep hoping that she'll write a different kind of h, but she never does. They're always weak, with low self esteem, less beautiful than their male counterpart, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, I think I will stop reading her books. Because while I enjoy how she writes, the way the H always saves the h from her humdrum reclusive life, revives her previous passions, and inspires her to try for a better life just doesn't agree with me. While I may not be a hardcore feminist, I do think that women should be able make their own choices and feel proud of them without the help of a man. And she definitely shouldn't be doing those things for a man, or because said man encouraged her to do it and all of a sudden she believes she can. Also, the way that almost every single h in Alissa Johnson's stories has sex with the respective H just doesn't seem true to the time period in which the stories occur. I just don't believe that the h will be so willing to give up her respectability and run the risk of becoming pregnant, all because of lust. Or passion. Or whatever. Without any promise of marriage or protection or anything. Because that just makes the h stupid, naive, or both. And that's not a quality I look for in the h of the story I'm reading.
2) I don't think the author meant for it to seem like the H takes advantage of the h, but it looks like he does or at the very least has a complete lack of self control. The situation the MCs find themselves in would probably make most readers uncomfortable. They're on the run, she's in danger, and he's appointed himself her protector and guardian. He's super experienced with women while she's a virgin. He's in complete control and hiding things from her while she's vulnerable. Those are the circumstances that surround her deflowering.
3) Because she's a virgin. Of course.
4) All the secrets and lies. The delicious angst that accompanies a well told story based on lies is missing in this book. Instead I found myself annoyed and had to compel myself to finish just so I could find out what the big deals are.
April 25, 2020
2.5 stars
July 31, 2019
This is my first time reading this author, and I found the story quite refreshing. The dialogue was witty, the characters were well-written, the suspense well-paced. Plus one of the attractions for me in this book was the fact that Jane, the heroine, had hearing issues. In the Victorian times any disability was treated as basically madness, and I was curious how this particular author would present it. I rather liked it.
Jane Bellanger is considered a hermit. She lives in a small cottage with two loyal servants. No one knows how much she yearns for more but not if her well guarded secret will come to light - that she has trouble hearing. So it's best people think what they may. But when her oldest brother's possessions appear on her doorstep, she does not know they bring danger and possibly love in their wake. I liked Jane a lot. She, despite her physical issue, never backed down and stood up for herself. When she saw a chance at happiness, she grabbed it with both hands. Her no nonsense attitude was what attracted her to Gabriel.
Sir Gabriel Arkwright is a PI or as they call him, a Thief Taker. He is charming, handsome and is well off since the job keeps him busy. When he receives a commission to go and find personal effects of a deceased spy, the last thing he expects is to find himself in a presence of a woman who befuddles him so much that he is unsure how to proceed. When dangerous men come to retrieve papers from Jane's brother's belongings, the true adventure starts. Through it all, Gabriel gets to know Jane to be courageous, loyal and utterly fascinating. The chemistry is subtle between them, it's more intellectual attraction at first, as if both are trying to see what makes the other tick.
Both Gabriel and Jane are tormented by their past. Both have fears that they keep close to chest. I liked how Gabriel slowly became aware of her as not just someone under his protection, but a lovely woman that he can see himself with. They both had to take a chance when confessing their past lives fearing possible ridicule or disdain but their mutual past pain and present attraction spiced with a hint of danger made their feelings develop faster and stronger than if it was a regular courtship. Nothing says romantic like a hunk of cheese, straw bed and riding gallop in the dead of night! But Jane was so starved for life that despite the awful circumstances she bloomed. I loved those two. I loved how Gabriel didn't even blink an eye about her hearing problem, how he made her part of his friend's lives. Plus the spies! Who can say no to that! Even though it's the last in the series, it can easily be read as standalone! I really liked it and recommend it!
Jane Bellanger is considered a hermit. She lives in a small cottage with two loyal servants. No one knows how much she yearns for more but not if her well guarded secret will come to light - that she has trouble hearing. So it's best people think what they may. But when her oldest brother's possessions appear on her doorstep, she does not know they bring danger and possibly love in their wake. I liked Jane a lot. She, despite her physical issue, never backed down and stood up for herself. When she saw a chance at happiness, she grabbed it with both hands. Her no nonsense attitude was what attracted her to Gabriel.
Sir Gabriel Arkwright is a PI or as they call him, a Thief Taker. He is charming, handsome and is well off since the job keeps him busy. When he receives a commission to go and find personal effects of a deceased spy, the last thing he expects is to find himself in a presence of a woman who befuddles him so much that he is unsure how to proceed. When dangerous men come to retrieve papers from Jane's brother's belongings, the true adventure starts. Through it all, Gabriel gets to know Jane to be courageous, loyal and utterly fascinating. The chemistry is subtle between them, it's more intellectual attraction at first, as if both are trying to see what makes the other tick.
Both Gabriel and Jane are tormented by their past. Both have fears that they keep close to chest. I liked how Gabriel slowly became aware of her as not just someone under his protection, but a lovely woman that he can see himself with. They both had to take a chance when confessing their past lives fearing possible ridicule or disdain but their mutual past pain and present attraction spiced with a hint of danger made their feelings develop faster and stronger than if it was a regular courtship. Nothing says romantic like a hunk of cheese, straw bed and riding gallop in the dead of night! But Jane was so starved for life that despite the awful circumstances she bloomed. I loved those two. I loved how Gabriel didn't even blink an eye about her hearing problem, how he made her part of his friend's lives. Plus the spies! Who can say no to that! Even though it's the last in the series, it can easily be read as standalone! I really liked it and recommend it!
September 19, 2017
This is actually pretty fun once you get past the tedious beginning. There is an actual adventure in which things happen, and although the great conspiracy plot gets kind of muddled, it makes 99% more sense than most mystery plots I've read in HR. The main characters have the added benefit of actually being memorable. Jane, who is hard of hearing and tragically "different" in a time when being different can be dangerous, is a believable self-exile with a good heart. Gabriel is a rogue and a liar and probably the best guy to have with you if you're trying to outrun an assassin or any other baddie. Their romance is a slow burn, and Johnson accomplishes at convincing me that they actually care about each other. So all in all, a good, entertaining read.
April 18, 2022
This story took place in the Victorian era. 4 stars.
Sir Gabriel visited Jane to obtain her late brother Edgar's
belongings for the Foreign Office. He thought she was
moody, sweet and clever. She thought he was intrusive
and used too many innuendos.
Jane had central auditory processing disorder (CAPP) w/
similar symptoms to autism & ADD. She was easily dis-
tracted, & did best in a quiet environment. She confused
words IE "please" & "appease" & couldn't always detect
humor or flirtation. Some people in town thought she
was an idiot. She had an unhappy past experiences that
reinforced her distrust of people.
Together the leads went on a road trip to learn the truth
about her brother. They stayed at an inn, where she
became lost b/c she'd forgotten the room #.
At first Gabe thought she was a liar. Over time he gave
Jane kudos for her strength in facing the complexities
of the world as she managed her disability. A touching
love story with just a dash of mystery.
I read book #1, A Talent for Trickery & couldn't get into
the story.
Revised 03/2019
Sir Gabriel visited Jane to obtain her late brother Edgar's
belongings for the Foreign Office. He thought she was
moody, sweet and clever. She thought he was intrusive
and used too many innuendos.
Jane had central auditory processing disorder (CAPP) w/
similar symptoms to autism & ADD. She was easily dis-
tracted, & did best in a quiet environment. She confused
words IE "please" & "appease" & couldn't always detect
humor or flirtation. Some people in town thought she
was an idiot. She had an unhappy past experiences that
reinforced her distrust of people.
Together the leads went on a road trip to learn the truth
about her brother. They stayed at an inn, where she
became lost b/c she'd forgotten the room #.
At first Gabe thought she was a liar. Over time he gave
Jane kudos for her strength in facing the complexities
of the world as she managed her disability. A touching
love story with just a dash of mystery.
I read book #1, A Talent for Trickery & couldn't get into
the story.
Revised 03/2019
June 20, 2018
Sir Gabriel Awkright, one of the famous Thief-Takers, is tasked with approaching the reclusive Jane Ballenger to take possession, on behalf of the Crown, of the multitude of goods recently bequeathed to her by her deceased half-brother. He makes his fame and fortune through his skills as a private investigator, relying on his usually accurate ability to read and anticipate the behaviours of people and respond accordingly. He finds himself stumped by this unusual young woman, who is unlike anyone he has ever met - socially awkward, blunt talking and seemingly lacking a sense of humour, and yet intelligent and highly observant and who, apart from the elderly couple living with her, abstains from any other social contact.
The few locals who claim to know her expressed varying opinions and theories about the woman. None of them were flattering. She was an ill-mannered snob. She was a sweet girl, but not at all clever. She was impossibly rude. She was dreadfully shy. Her family kept her hidden away because she was mad as a hatter, or deaf as post, or illegitimate, epileptic, or an imbecile.
The author does a marvellous job of portraying such complete and contrasting main characters; a hero who is a neat freak and always meticulously turned out with not a hair out of place falls for the woman with a mob of unruly curly hair and a proclivity for wrinkly clothes and smudgy cheeks. A man who makes a living out of dissembling, deceiving and manipulating people meets his match in a straight-talking woman, who couldn't lie to save her life. He who spends his life reading people like books, finds the heroine inaccessible and inscrutable to him like a foreign language. And like the master puzzle-solver that he is, Gabriel cannot help but be fascinated and entranced.
Jane's increasing confidence as she gets exposed to the world, she had previously hidden from, is masterfully tackled by the author. The hero's slow comprehension of the mystery of Jane is also dealt with well. My quibble is that the heroine held on to her secret for too long. How can the truth be worse than what people already thought of her? AJ is a great writer and her books are always entertaining and well-written without fail. I remain a devoted fan.
The few locals who claim to know her expressed varying opinions and theories about the woman. None of them were flattering. She was an ill-mannered snob. She was a sweet girl, but not at all clever. She was impossibly rude. She was dreadfully shy. Her family kept her hidden away because she was mad as a hatter, or deaf as post, or illegitimate, epileptic, or an imbecile.
The author does a marvellous job of portraying such complete and contrasting main characters; a hero who is a neat freak and always meticulously turned out with not a hair out of place falls for the woman with a mob of unruly curly hair and a proclivity for wrinkly clothes and smudgy cheeks. A man who makes a living out of dissembling, deceiving and manipulating people meets his match in a straight-talking woman, who couldn't lie to save her life. He who spends his life reading people like books, finds the heroine inaccessible and inscrutable to him like a foreign language. And like the master puzzle-solver that he is, Gabriel cannot help but be fascinated and entranced.
Jane's increasing confidence as she gets exposed to the world, she had previously hidden from, is masterfully tackled by the author. The hero's slow comprehension of the mystery of Jane is also dealt with well. My quibble is that the heroine held on to her secret for too long. How can the truth be worse than what people already thought of her? AJ is a great writer and her books are always entertaining and well-written without fail. I remain a devoted fan.
October 2, 2023
I genuinely love this book!!! It's a historical romance wrapped in a cat and mouse type mystery that's not dark or hard to follow. I am truly baffled by the lack of popularity for this book because it is so darn good! The characters are multidimensional and extremely likeable, the banter is perfect and not smothering and the storyline is fun and paced well. I was highly entertained from beginning to end.
I do not remember why I started with the last book in this series before the others, but thankfully it can be read as a standalone. I will happily be reading the other two books as well as checking out this new-to-me-author's other works.
Highly recommend!
Free on KU too!
I do not remember why I started with the last book in this series before the others, but thankfully it can be read as a standalone. I will happily be reading the other two books as well as checking out this new-to-me-author's other works.
Highly recommend!
Free on KU too!
June 13, 2017
I truly don't understand why this author is not named with some of the best in the business.
December 7, 2017
You know how there are certain romance authors that, based on their writing and way of developing characters, you just know would make wonderful friends? Like Mary Balogh, for instance? Or Jayne Fresina? Well, Alissa Johnson is another one, IMO. Her stories are character driven and her characters are almost always very appealing to me. Sometimes the stories are quiet, with little action other than personal interactions, and I am happy with the quietude of the gentle story. This one, however, adds in quite an entertaining adventure/road trip (no, not the annoying kind of road trip) along with the sweet romance and is all the better for it.
Johnson has also added in a disability for the heroine. Jane Ballenger suffers since birth from CAPD (central auditory processing disorder), which causes difficulty processing sounds and conversation, especially in noisy environments, and some difficulty in producing sounds or words at times, confusing them with similar ones. Johnson has a family member who suffers from this disorder and I guess decided to bring it to public attention to promote a better understanding of the problem, which is not an issue of deafness but of neural processing.
But imagine it's the 1800s and you suffer from this at a time when the disorder is an unknown and people just perceive the person as being mentally deficient. That's what's going on in Jane's life. After a lifetime of cruel treatment by others, including her own late father, she is now living an isolated life at Twillins Cottage, accompanied by an understanding and loving couple, and avoiding as much contact as possible with people who misunderstand her problem.
When Jane's only relative, brother Edward, dies in Europe, all his belongings are sent to her cottage and that's when some other troubles begin. Seems that Edward had some secrets and there's something among his possessions that must be recovered by the Crown. Sir Gabriel Arkwright, the last-standing bachelor of the three thief takers of this series (A TALENT FOR TRICKERY, #1 and A GIFT FOR GUILE, #2), is charged with recovering this information and also with keeping it out of the hands of a possible double agent. He also charges himself with keeping Jane safe.
So that's where the adventure really begins. When the hidden papers are found, off Gabriel and Jane set in one direction and Jane's caretaker couple and Gabriel's partner in another, to confuse and avoid the bad guys. There's lots of adventure, jumping off trains, hiding out in the woods, confronting villains, etc, which add interest to the story, yet it's still essentially a character-driven romance. Gabriel has some issues from his childhood that have made him the somewhat-troubled man he is today. Some are secrets he has never told to anyone. And, of course, Jane has this disability and horrendous traumatic childhood experiences in her past.
Jane has been made to feel ashamed of her hearing problem and does not confide in Gabriel for a large portion of the book. This will cause a few problems in their relationship and in their ability to work together in avoiding the evildoers. But once Gabriel becomes aware of Jane's disorder, he shows an inordinate amount of sensitivity and understanding and is the perfect partner for her. And Jane becomes the one person in the world Gabriel is willing to reveal things in his past to. A perfect pairing of two lovely persons. And a romance that develops slowly and beautifully.
All in all, this is a very good story. I enjoyed the adventures and I loved the romance. Great character development and excellent slow road to love for the H and h. Good insight into human character and the human condition shown by the author. This would have been a 5-star read for me, except that I found it slow at the beginning and didn't really start to fully appreciate it until near the halfway point. Perhaps that's my fault because I do tend to be impatient at times (almost always?) but I'm still reserving 5 stars for books that impatient me loves from beginning to the end.
Johnson has also added in a disability for the heroine. Jane Ballenger suffers since birth from CAPD (central auditory processing disorder), which causes difficulty processing sounds and conversation, especially in noisy environments, and some difficulty in producing sounds or words at times, confusing them with similar ones. Johnson has a family member who suffers from this disorder and I guess decided to bring it to public attention to promote a better understanding of the problem, which is not an issue of deafness but of neural processing.
But imagine it's the 1800s and you suffer from this at a time when the disorder is an unknown and people just perceive the person as being mentally deficient. That's what's going on in Jane's life. After a lifetime of cruel treatment by others, including her own late father, she is now living an isolated life at Twillins Cottage, accompanied by an understanding and loving couple, and avoiding as much contact as possible with people who misunderstand her problem.
When Jane's only relative, brother Edward, dies in Europe, all his belongings are sent to her cottage and that's when some other troubles begin. Seems that Edward had some secrets and there's something among his possessions that must be recovered by the Crown. Sir Gabriel Arkwright, the last-standing bachelor of the three thief takers of this series (A TALENT FOR TRICKERY, #1 and A GIFT FOR GUILE, #2), is charged with recovering this information and also with keeping it out of the hands of a possible double agent. He also charges himself with keeping Jane safe.
So that's where the adventure really begins. When the hidden papers are found, off Gabriel and Jane set in one direction and Jane's caretaker couple and Gabriel's partner in another, to confuse and avoid the bad guys. There's lots of adventure, jumping off trains, hiding out in the woods, confronting villains, etc, which add interest to the story, yet it's still essentially a character-driven romance. Gabriel has some issues from his childhood that have made him the somewhat-troubled man he is today. Some are secrets he has never told to anyone. And, of course, Jane has this disability and horrendous traumatic childhood experiences in her past.
Jane has been made to feel ashamed of her hearing problem and does not confide in Gabriel for a large portion of the book. This will cause a few problems in their relationship and in their ability to work together in avoiding the evildoers. But once Gabriel becomes aware of Jane's disorder, he shows an inordinate amount of sensitivity and understanding and is the perfect partner for her. And Jane becomes the one person in the world Gabriel is willing to reveal things in his past to. A perfect pairing of two lovely persons. And a romance that develops slowly and beautifully.
All in all, this is a very good story. I enjoyed the adventures and I loved the romance. Great character development and excellent slow road to love for the H and h. Good insight into human character and the human condition shown by the author. This would have been a 5-star read for me, except that I found it slow at the beginning and didn't really start to fully appreciate it until near the halfway point. Perhaps that's my fault because I do tend to be impatient at times (almost always?) but I'm still reserving 5 stars for books that impatient me loves from beginning to the end.
July 5, 2017
(B+) - Very enjoyable road-trip romance with a heroine who has a unique perspective on the world. I have to admit that the heroine's auditory disorder is one of the main draws for picking this book up, and the author's treatment of Jane's hearing loss and how it impacts her life was very well executed. Throughout the entire story, we get to see in numerous examples how much Jane's life depends on her ability to read people's lips and the danger she is in when visualization is not possible in a conversation. I found too that the need for Jane to filter out multiple noise sources was quite fascinating. It reminds me of my autistic nephew's difficulty with over-stimulation. Above all, I think I was most struck by Jane's bravery given that she tries to hide her disability out of fear of social persecution. The fact that Jane has a long history of being treated with censure for her difference from others only lends itself to the fear for her in the present moment of the story.
The books begins with the arrival of Gabriel on Jane's doorstep. Gabriel is a private investigator hired by the government to collect the belongings of Jane's deceased brother, who was a spy for the Crown. Jane does not know that her brother was a spy but she had been hoping to sell her brother's possessions given her dire financial situation. Therefore, Gabriel's arrival is not well-received. In addition to not wanting to relinquish her brother's things, it also puts her at a distinct disadvantage since she is loathe to spend much time with a stranger and quite protective of her disability and the secret life she has created for herself. She also is not accustomed to being around men, and Gabriel is uncomfortably attractive and self-assured, which forces her to confront her own lack of self-confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization of Gabriel, who is both fitting as a hero of a romance but also kind and considerate. He knows already from his preliminary investigations that Jane is a hermit and, according to the villagers, very odd. He just does not know why she is so mysterious and "quirky," in his own words. I really appreciated that he wanted to understand her better and found her endearing enough to keep trying despite her brittleness and at times off-putting mannerisms. Gabriel would be a great hero in any romance, but I think pairing him with a cranky and standoffish heroine works well here in this novel.
Having said that, I did have reservations at times about the disadvantages Jane feels in a romance with such a handsome, charismatic and accomplished man. I would imagine most women would, and Jane's disadvantages are considerable. I'm not sure I completely bought into why Gabriel fell in love with her or whether the author convinced me of their romance as much as I would have liked. Power dynamics are an important part of romances, and here, Gabriel almost always has the upper hand. I also found the romance more sweet than passionate. Given Jane's afflictions and history of mistreatment, I really wanted Gabriel to feel tremendous passion for her and I'm not sure he did, or at least enough.
The road story aspect is handled so well though. Gabriel convinces Jane to flee with him for her safety, and the dangers they encounter as they are tracked across the country by villains feel very threatening. They also allow Gabriel to demonstrate his considerable skills in dodging threats and protecting the heroine. There is a subplot as well concerning the fantastical lying capabilities Gabriel exhibits. He is a chronic deceiver and can barely control lying in all kinds of situations, which endangers his ability to win over Jane's trust. I appreciate that they work this out in a realistic way and that being in a trusting relationship is one thing Jane can do for Gabriel.
This is my first Alissa Johnson novel and I am keen to read more.
The books begins with the arrival of Gabriel on Jane's doorstep. Gabriel is a private investigator hired by the government to collect the belongings of Jane's deceased brother, who was a spy for the Crown. Jane does not know that her brother was a spy but she had been hoping to sell her brother's possessions given her dire financial situation. Therefore, Gabriel's arrival is not well-received. In addition to not wanting to relinquish her brother's things, it also puts her at a distinct disadvantage since she is loathe to spend much time with a stranger and quite protective of her disability and the secret life she has created for herself. She also is not accustomed to being around men, and Gabriel is uncomfortably attractive and self-assured, which forces her to confront her own lack of self-confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed the characterization of Gabriel, who is both fitting as a hero of a romance but also kind and considerate. He knows already from his preliminary investigations that Jane is a hermit and, according to the villagers, very odd. He just does not know why she is so mysterious and "quirky," in his own words. I really appreciated that he wanted to understand her better and found her endearing enough to keep trying despite her brittleness and at times off-putting mannerisms. Gabriel would be a great hero in any romance, but I think pairing him with a cranky and standoffish heroine works well here in this novel.
Having said that, I did have reservations at times about the disadvantages Jane feels in a romance with such a handsome, charismatic and accomplished man. I would imagine most women would, and Jane's disadvantages are considerable. I'm not sure I completely bought into why Gabriel fell in love with her or whether the author convinced me of their romance as much as I would have liked. Power dynamics are an important part of romances, and here, Gabriel almost always has the upper hand. I also found the romance more sweet than passionate. Given Jane's afflictions and history of mistreatment, I really wanted Gabriel to feel tremendous passion for her and I'm not sure he did, or at least enough.
The road story aspect is handled so well though. Gabriel convinces Jane to flee with him for her safety, and the dangers they encounter as they are tracked across the country by villains feel very threatening. They also allow Gabriel to demonstrate his considerable skills in dodging threats and protecting the heroine. There is a subplot as well concerning the fantastical lying capabilities Gabriel exhibits. He is a chronic deceiver and can barely control lying in all kinds of situations, which endangers his ability to win over Jane's trust. I appreciate that they work this out in a realistic way and that being in a trusting relationship is one thing Jane can do for Gabriel.
This is my first Alissa Johnson novel and I am keen to read more.
January 14, 2019
It was a beautiful story of two persons hiding who they really are.
Jane suffered a lot from the garbled opinion other people have from her, so she now prefers to hide than be bullied and be called name because of her deficiency. Ill treatments and years in an asylum taught her to avoid crowds and too long conversations. She appears blunt and harsh but she feels safe this way.
Gabriel presents to the world a different man depending of the situation, he might not have liked being compared to a reptile but he is a chameleon, he wears his skin like a disguise. Why Jane unsettles him, he pains to get a full picture of her, she is rather unpredictable so he does not know which role to play with her.
I’m not a great fan of spies stories but here it was yes a spy tale but also an incredible road trip during which they learned about themselves and another.
Even if I was hurrying Jane to confess Gabriel her secret to Gabriel, I do understood she needed time to trust, and winning her confidence is not a few minutes task. The span of time was rather short so it was comprehensible they tasted their faith in each other and did not gave it easily.
I love how the author brings the characters together, how they get to know another, there are very few angsty moments and no real miscommunications, it was more about misinterpretations and lack of knowledge but they were not afraid to talk and sort out their differences.
Jane suffered a lot from the garbled opinion other people have from her, so she now prefers to hide than be bullied and be called name because of her deficiency. Ill treatments and years in an asylum taught her to avoid crowds and too long conversations. She appears blunt and harsh but she feels safe this way.
Gabriel presents to the world a different man depending of the situation, he might not have liked being compared to a reptile but he is a chameleon, he wears his skin like a disguise. Why Jane unsettles him, he pains to get a full picture of her, she is rather unpredictable so he does not know which role to play with her.
I’m not a great fan of spies stories but here it was yes a spy tale but also an incredible road trip during which they learned about themselves and another.
Even if I was hurrying Jane to confess Gabriel her secret to Gabriel, I do understood she needed time to trust, and winning her confidence is not a few minutes task. The span of time was rather short so it was comprehensible they tasted their faith in each other and did not gave it easily.
I love how the author brings the characters together, how they get to know another, there are very few angsty moments and no real miscommunications, it was more about misinterpretations and lack of knowledge but they were not afraid to talk and sort out their differences.
November 1, 2023
I enjoyed the story but I wished there would’ve been a bit more romance.
August 21, 2023
Adorable! Will be reading more of this author!
July 17, 2018
A romantic relationship based on lies, lies, and more lies is doomed to failure. Or is it? Miss Jane Ballenger, a self-imposed recluse, due to a serious learning disability, has just received her late brother's belongings into her beloved Twillins cottage. Highly-renown private investigator Sir Gabriel Arkwright shows up on her doorstep and attempts to confiscate everything in the name of the crown. He is looking for highly sensitive espionage secrets hidden somewhere in the late agent's things. A traitor and his band of thugs also show up and force Gabriel and Jane to flee for their lives. Poor Jane desperately tries to cover up her condition, today known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and Sir Gabriel is simultaneously covering up his own shameful past. He leads her on a wild and desperate romp through the countryside while the two of them awkwardly begin to have feelings for each other. Jane's condition causes some dangerous and often humorous encounters along the way. The author has fashioned a sensitive but unforgettable and lovable heroine in Jane as the two of them try to come to grips with each other's attempts to cover up their own secrets. A delightful and engrossing thriller romance that cannot be put down easily.
August 13, 2020
A Dangerous Deceit is a fantastic historical romance by Alissa Johnson. Ms. Johnson has provided readers with a well-written book. Kudos to Ms. Johnson on the outstanding characters in this story. Jane is busy trying to sort through her brother's belongings that have been delivered to her after his death. Jane has a hearing problem and when speaking sometimes uses the wrong words. Gabriel is a private investigator working for the home office. Jane and Gabriel's story is packed with drama, humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I totally enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Alissa Johnson in the future. A Dangerous Deceit is book 3 of The Thief-Takers Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
July 13, 2018
I couldn't get into the book, so I gave up.
June 20, 2017
Another five-star Alyssa Johnson book completed, and once again I am left to wonder why historical romance readers are not raving about this author and putting her books on bestseller lists. She is a gifted writer, and the heroine of this one is one of the most interesting and unusual heroines I have encountered in a long while.
September 25, 2018
A new to me author and I will definitely keep a eye out for more of her work. This was a fun, easy read. The characters were interesting and not cookie-cutter. The story kept the pages turning without overshadowing the relationship development. Easy 4 stars.
January 12, 2019
I haven't read the first two books in this series and I have to say I likely won't. "Nearly A Lady" is the first book I ever read by this author and it was GREAT! However this just made "A Dangerous Deceit" more disappointing than if I'd read it first. There was less dialogue between characters it seemed in this one and overall the two main characters were rather melancholy. As someone who likes reading fiction as an escape from the less than pleasant aspects of real, everyday life I didn't like characters who pull a reader down with them so much. They both spent way more time in their own gloomy thoughts than in dialogue with each other. I also found the amount of swearing by a "lady" and a man in the presence of said lady annoying. For that time period it would've been SHOCKING behavior for either of them. Jane had most recently spent several years of her life with an elderly, genteel woman and her husband who almost certainly would've instructed their charge better; Gabriel who lived as part of high society might have uttered a few four letter words but only around other men or in his head. I don't have the mouth of a saint myself but I found multiple abuses of God's name and miscellaneous cussing here excessive.
While I'm on this soapbox I'll also say that I'm wondering if ALL of this author's heroes are going to sleep with the heroines before they marry them. Sex out of wedlock is another thing that was very much frowned upon at that time and the most lustful man likely wouldn't have risked wrecking the reputation of a woman he truly loved.(While he would have gotten off more easily, his own reputation could take a hit if he slept around a lot). Maybe I'm naive as to just how many covered up incidents there were in history. That said, my own imagination works fine for me if steamy romance is merely alluded to and I don't think the brief descriptions really add that much to her stories, just saying. Obviously all of this is just my viewpoint. Anyway I'll end my lengthy review (rant ;)) by saying I hope it's helpful to someone and I really hope this author isn't a one hit wonder for me. Happy Reading!
Upon reading several other people's comments I discovered that there is in fact an explanation for Jane's condition (CAPD). It's horrifying how she was treated because people didn't understand it and I applaud the author for masterfully illustrating the harm that can come from making assumptions about someone who is different in a way we don't understand. Humanity will never know all there is to know but that doesn't mean we should stop trying to learn.
While I'm on this soapbox I'll also say that I'm wondering if ALL of this author's heroes are going to sleep with the heroines before they marry them. Sex out of wedlock is another thing that was very much frowned upon at that time and the most lustful man likely wouldn't have risked wrecking the reputation of a woman he truly loved.(While he would have gotten off more easily, his own reputation could take a hit if he slept around a lot). Maybe I'm naive as to just how many covered up incidents there were in history. That said, my own imagination works fine for me if steamy romance is merely alluded to and I don't think the brief descriptions really add that much to her stories, just saying. Obviously all of this is just my viewpoint. Anyway I'll end my lengthy review (rant ;)) by saying I hope it's helpful to someone and I really hope this author isn't a one hit wonder for me. Happy Reading!
Upon reading several other people's comments I discovered that there is in fact an explanation for Jane's condition (CAPD). It's horrifying how she was treated because people didn't understand it and I applaud the author for masterfully illustrating the harm that can come from making assumptions about someone who is different in a way we don't understand. Humanity will never know all there is to know but that doesn't mean we should stop trying to learn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
Voleva rimanere così, con la sua mano calda sul polso, così vicina a lui da dover inclinare la testa all'indietro per incontrare il suo sguardo.
Questa trilogia è semplicemente magnifica, dal primo al terzo volume.
E la bravura dell'autrice consiste nell'avere sì creato una cornice uniforme in cui inserire i tre volumi, ma di aver creato in concreto tre storie diverse; non sono i classici volumi fotocopia, uno per ogni coppia.
Ciascun romanzo è riuscito a darmi emozioni differenti, ora il senso di rivalsa, ora il tormento di due anime indecise a non arrendersi all'amore, ora la solitudine e la paura.
Tra l'altro, tutto non accade nel giro di poco tempo, ma ciascuna storia matura a distanza anche di anni, rendendo sviluppo e contesto più credibili e coerenti.
Dopo Lord Owen e Sir Samuel, restava l'ultimo dei membri del gruppo di agenti soprannominati "Cacciatori di taglie", celebri per aver sventato il rapimento di una nobildonna e altri misfatti in terra inglese. Dopo che la Corona li ha ricompensati, sir Gabriel ha proseguito la sua carriera come detective privato, collaborando saltuariamente con il ministero degli affari esteri.
Quando lo inviano a recuperare i beni - che potrebbero celare importanti segreti di spionaggio - di un funzionario deceduto in Russia, Gabriel non si aspetta di avere grossi problemi.
I beni sono tutti raccolti in un cottage solitario al limitare del bosco, dove la sorella minore del funzionario conduce una vita da reclusa da molti anni, con la sola compagnia di due domestici anziani. Eppure, Jane è una sorpresa continua; ora sembra timida e distratta, ora intelligente e intrigante. Nel tentativo di decifrarla, Gabriel si ritrova anche a salvarla, conducendola in una lunga fuga.
Lo potremmo definire un romanzo on the road, dove i nostri cancellano o lasciano tracce apposta, dove inventano e sfuggono a trappole, svelando i loro reciproci segreti lentamente, e lentamente innamorandosi.
Mi è piaciuto tutto: la trama, l'ambientazione, l'eleganza dei dialoghi, la profondità di certi sguardi e dei silenzi. Jane è affetta da disabilità, ma questo elemento non viene reso con pietismo e rassegnazione, bensì per consentirci di capire l'incredibile fatica e determinazione che la muove, oltre a farci toccare in concreto l'orrore di un mondo che teme la malattia e che non ha gli strumenti per includere. Gabriel è l'unico in grado di comprenderla, perché l'ha accettata da subito, senza pentirsene. Davvero bello.
Lei rise piano, e lui seppe di aver vinto.
Questa trilogia è semplicemente magnifica, dal primo al terzo volume.
E la bravura dell'autrice consiste nell'avere sì creato una cornice uniforme in cui inserire i tre volumi, ma di aver creato in concreto tre storie diverse; non sono i classici volumi fotocopia, uno per ogni coppia.
Ciascun romanzo è riuscito a darmi emozioni differenti, ora il senso di rivalsa, ora il tormento di due anime indecise a non arrendersi all'amore, ora la solitudine e la paura.
Tra l'altro, tutto non accade nel giro di poco tempo, ma ciascuna storia matura a distanza anche di anni, rendendo sviluppo e contesto più credibili e coerenti.
Dopo Lord Owen e Sir Samuel, restava l'ultimo dei membri del gruppo di agenti soprannominati "Cacciatori di taglie", celebri per aver sventato il rapimento di una nobildonna e altri misfatti in terra inglese. Dopo che la Corona li ha ricompensati, sir Gabriel ha proseguito la sua carriera come detective privato, collaborando saltuariamente con il ministero degli affari esteri.
Quando lo inviano a recuperare i beni - che potrebbero celare importanti segreti di spionaggio - di un funzionario deceduto in Russia, Gabriel non si aspetta di avere grossi problemi.
I beni sono tutti raccolti in un cottage solitario al limitare del bosco, dove la sorella minore del funzionario conduce una vita da reclusa da molti anni, con la sola compagnia di due domestici anziani. Eppure, Jane è una sorpresa continua; ora sembra timida e distratta, ora intelligente e intrigante. Nel tentativo di decifrarla, Gabriel si ritrova anche a salvarla, conducendola in una lunga fuga.
Lo potremmo definire un romanzo on the road, dove i nostri cancellano o lasciano tracce apposta, dove inventano e sfuggono a trappole, svelando i loro reciproci segreti lentamente, e lentamente innamorandosi.
Mi è piaciuto tutto: la trama, l'ambientazione, l'eleganza dei dialoghi, la profondità di certi sguardi e dei silenzi. Jane è affetta da disabilità, ma questo elemento non viene reso con pietismo e rassegnazione, bensì per consentirci di capire l'incredibile fatica e determinazione che la muove, oltre a farci toccare in concreto l'orrore di un mondo che teme la malattia e che non ha gli strumenti per includere. Gabriel è l'unico in grado di comprenderla, perché l'ha accettata da subito, senza pentirsene. Davvero bello.
Lei rise piano, e lui seppe di aver vinto.
February 8, 2019
It really is too bad this book doesn't seem to be available in print like the previous 2, because I would have loved to add it to my physical bookshelf. It took some time and trying, but in the end I found it, even if it's an e-book.
And boy am I glad I finally did.
Jane Ballenger is different from most other people. She knows it, but she's learned to live with it. Luckily, she's managed to surround herself with people who love her despite her disability. However, it's been a long time since she's dealt with "other" people - until Sir Gabriel Arkwright shows up on her doorstep.
Gabriel has been sent to retrieve an inheritance from an agent beyond borders. They don't know where his things were sent, but on a hunch, he decides to visit the lost sister.
A lot of rumors surround the mysterious Jane Ballenger, but she's not the kind of woman he expected to encounter. She might seem a little distracted at times, but she's perfectly normal and actually, quite nice in character and looks.
With the mystery plot it's a very entertaining book, but what I love most of all is that Jane Ballenger is not a hapless heroine. She might be innocent and somewhat naive but with her background, it's hard to blame her. At the same time, her background has helped her in learning to read people. She's smart and savvy, can defend herself reasonably well phyiscally but most of all, verbally and emotionally.
Gabriel isn't your typical hero. The goal justifies the means, even if this entails misleading Jane - which happens quite often. He gets away with it maybe a handful of times because Jane can see and understand what he's aiming for with some of his actions.
What I liked most of all was the research the author has put into Jane's disability. It's not something you hear about a lot, so that must have been a challenge. At the same time, it wasn't something people knew of and recognized during the time the story takes place. It makes for a very interesting read, and turns Jane into a very layered and fresh heroine.
In that regard, I think people who like historical romance and enjoyed The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang might want to give this book a try.
And boy am I glad I finally did.
Jane Ballenger is different from most other people. She knows it, but she's learned to live with it. Luckily, she's managed to surround herself with people who love her despite her disability. However, it's been a long time since she's dealt with "other" people - until Sir Gabriel Arkwright shows up on her doorstep.
Gabriel has been sent to retrieve an inheritance from an agent beyond borders. They don't know where his things were sent, but on a hunch, he decides to visit the lost sister.
A lot of rumors surround the mysterious Jane Ballenger, but she's not the kind of woman he expected to encounter. She might seem a little distracted at times, but she's perfectly normal and actually, quite nice in character and looks.
With the mystery plot it's a very entertaining book, but what I love most of all is that Jane Ballenger is not a hapless heroine. She might be innocent and somewhat naive but with her background, it's hard to blame her. At the same time, her background has helped her in learning to read people. She's smart and savvy, can defend herself reasonably well phyiscally but most of all, verbally and emotionally.
Gabriel isn't your typical hero. The goal justifies the means, even if this entails misleading Jane - which happens quite often. He gets away with it maybe a handful of times because Jane can see and understand what he's aiming for with some of his actions.
What I liked most of all was the research the author has put into Jane's disability. It's not something you hear about a lot, so that must have been a challenge. At the same time, it wasn't something people knew of and recognized during the time the story takes place. It makes for a very interesting read, and turns Jane into a very layered and fresh heroine.
In that regard, I think people who like historical romance and enjoyed The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang might want to give this book a try.
April 2, 2018
I still have not read the second book in this trilogy, but I loved the first one, and I'm very much afraid this book suffers in comparison. The reader figures out fairly early on that Jane, the heroine, has some sort of auditory processing disorder; as a result of this (and subsequent trauma from being incarcerated for several years in a mental asylum) she leads a secluded life in the country. When her brother passes away, he sends her a secret document; the hero, Gabriel Arkwright, shows up to collect it. Needless to say, he is not the only one after the document, and shortly thereafter Jane and Gabriel are on a road trip, attempting to lead the villains on a false trail away from Jane's beloved servants/friends, who have also fled the country.
As a plot, this is kind of... meh. The twistiness of the plot of the first book was one of its major draws: what was going on? Who could be trusted? What was everyone after? These were all questions - whereas here, we know what people are after, and it just feels like that thing could really be anything. It's just a thing that people are after in order to propel Jane and Gabriel on their road trip; it's not integral to the plot and it doesn't create much conflict in and of itself. Similarly, neither the hero nor the heroine seem particularly interesting. Jane especially just doesn't have much going for her - she's pretty and she battles with a disability, that's fine, but... so what? Gabriel, on the other hand, remains pretty much a cipher, which, again, so what?
The writing is very good, as always, and the dialogue is very good and Jane's hearing disorder well-drawn, but I just found it difficult to stay motivated to finish this book. I didn't care about the characters and I didn't really feel like they were in real peril at any point.
As a plot, this is kind of... meh. The twistiness of the plot of the first book was one of its major draws: what was going on? Who could be trusted? What was everyone after? These were all questions - whereas here, we know what people are after, and it just feels like that thing could really be anything. It's just a thing that people are after in order to propel Jane and Gabriel on their road trip; it's not integral to the plot and it doesn't create much conflict in and of itself. Similarly, neither the hero nor the heroine seem particularly interesting. Jane especially just doesn't have much going for her - she's pretty and she battles with a disability, that's fine, but... so what? Gabriel, on the other hand, remains pretty much a cipher, which, again, so what?
The writing is very good, as always, and the dialogue is very good and Jane's hearing disorder well-drawn, but I just found it difficult to stay motivated to finish this book. I didn't care about the characters and I didn't really feel like they were in real peril at any point.
August 2, 2019
Rating: R for sex
Sex: one loving seduction scene
Language: no F words, 47 uses of the Lord's name in vain
Violence: guns, knives, assault, kidnapping, trespassing
HEA: yes
Jane's brother, Edgar, has died and she inherits all of his stuff. It fills the cottage she lives in. Gabriel comes to collect all the stuff for the Foreign Office. “Hit a miss dress a tome?” is the first thing she hears from him. She doesn't hear right all the time, even when people repeat, and she doesn't always say the right word, even though she intended to use the right word. The bad guys come. They and Gabriel are looking for a list of names. Gabriel escorts Jane and her family, the Harmons, to town while the bad guys go through her home. Too bad she had pocketed the list earlier that morning to give to Gabriel. While waiting outside the telegraph office for Gabriel, Jane is hauled into the alley by the bad guy and held at knifepoint. Gabriel rescues her, and the chase ensues. She gets her first kiss on a train just before she jumps off, and her second kiss in a barn after a romantic dinner--including sopping wet flowers--of cheese, bread, and an apple. Over the course of two days, she learns to trust him enough that she shares her affliction with him, and then releases him from his promise to not seduce her. They arrive at the home of one of the other Thief Takers, where she is reunited with her family and he with his compatriots. Jane discovers all the lies Gabriel has been telling her to keep her safe, and decides she can't trust him and maybe they need to spend some time apart. Desperate, Gabriel tells Jane the secret he's been harboring since he was about 10 years old. The bad guys interrupt after Jane tells Gabriel she loves him, and there's a fight involving fatalities. Then they get their happily ever after.
Sex: one loving seduction scene
Language: no F words, 47 uses of the Lord's name in vain
Violence: guns, knives, assault, kidnapping, trespassing
HEA: yes
Jane's brother, Edgar, has died and she inherits all of his stuff. It fills the cottage she lives in. Gabriel comes to collect all the stuff for the Foreign Office. “Hit a miss dress a tome?” is the first thing she hears from him. She doesn't hear right all the time, even when people repeat, and she doesn't always say the right word, even though she intended to use the right word. The bad guys come. They and Gabriel are looking for a list of names. Gabriel escorts Jane and her family, the Harmons, to town while the bad guys go through her home. Too bad she had pocketed the list earlier that morning to give to Gabriel. While waiting outside the telegraph office for Gabriel, Jane is hauled into the alley by the bad guy and held at knifepoint. Gabriel rescues her, and the chase ensues. She gets her first kiss on a train just before she jumps off, and her second kiss in a barn after a romantic dinner--including sopping wet flowers--of cheese, bread, and an apple. Over the course of two days, she learns to trust him enough that she shares her affliction with him, and then releases him from his promise to not seduce her. They arrive at the home of one of the other Thief Takers, where she is reunited with her family and he with his compatriots. Jane discovers all the lies Gabriel has been telling her to keep her safe, and decides she can't trust him and maybe they need to spend some time apart. Desperate, Gabriel tells Jane the secret he's been harboring since he was about 10 years old. The bad guys interrupt after Jane tells Gabriel she loves him, and there's a fight involving fatalities. Then they get their happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2018
3+
Very little as the blurb implies -- or what expectations the blurb built for me at least. More a mystery and adventure than a down-on-her-luck gentlelady who is trying to salvage an estate. And a solid mystery with moving pieces that kept me interested, though events are almost entirely off-page.
Off-page as the leads keep on the run. Almost too much, from square to square on a game board with too little reveal here and too much there, but it kept a lively pace and the leads moving (and bickering and bonding). I liked both of them, and the heroine had an interesting disability while the hero carried issues of his own, and neither thought the other lacking for it (important, I realize, but the declaration of such was there and nicely so).
I didn't need the full act sex scene; it felt a bit by the numbers get it in vs organic to them, what they were doing, and needed from each other. The other bits of awareness and canoodling and building trust were good. I also didn't need him to be quite so status quo on his past but that seems almost a given for historicals.
I'm unsure of their HEA. We got into the hero's head several times but not as what he'd want /with/ her aside from wanting her. I believed him, but there weren't seeds of what they could be and have together once all the hopscotching was over. At least she evinced the desire to break from her past life constraints, and throughout, a 'life' not shut away in a forgotten place. Still, I wish them the very best.
Very little as the blurb implies -- or what expectations the blurb built for me at least. More a mystery and adventure than a down-on-her-luck gentlelady who is trying to salvage an estate. And a solid mystery with moving pieces that kept me interested, though events are almost entirely off-page.
Off-page as the leads keep on the run. Almost too much, from square to square on a game board with too little reveal here and too much there, but it kept a lively pace and the leads moving (and bickering and bonding). I liked both of them, and the heroine had an interesting disability while the hero carried issues of his own, and neither thought the other lacking for it (important, I realize, but the declaration of such was there and nicely so).
I didn't need the full act sex scene; it felt a bit by the numbers get it in vs organic to them, what they were doing, and needed from each other. The other bits of awareness and canoodling and building trust were good. I also didn't need him to be quite so status quo on his past but that seems almost a given for historicals.
I'm unsure of their HEA. We got into the hero's head several times but not as what he'd want /with/ her aside from wanting her. I believed him, but there weren't seeds of what they could be and have together once all the hopscotching was over. At least she evinced the desire to break from her past life constraints, and throughout, a 'life' not shut away in a forgotten place. Still, I wish them the very best.
July 10, 2018
EVEN A DISABILITY CAN'T STOP ONE'S LOVE FROM SHINING THRU OR TO BE LOVED!
4 STARS for A Dangerous Deceit (Thief-Takers) a well written beautiful spy mystery romance from around the Regency Period. Our female character has disability which in those times some people would send their children to the hospital for mental problems essentially and Alissa Johnson handled that subject and descriptions of memories of treatments well and with a realism that brought me to the point of tears added with the info our girl had not been socially active ever because of it. Our male character is a known hero, knighted along with his 2 friends together known as The Thief Takers! So, these 2 wonderful characters from different worlds meet because of business for the Crown or government which throws them into running together from paid brutes for a List a Spy wants. Then as they run we find out about each one's soul & heart and how they start to see plus depend on each other as they flee while creating false trails trying to stay alive. This was just an all around beautiful read, it was a beautiful storyline , beautifully told, beautiful characters and a beautiful satisfying ending! Definitely well worth reading.
WARNING: 16 & Up. SEXUAL CONTENT : NO mild kissing violence shooting stabbing
4 STARS for A Dangerous Deceit (Thief-Takers) a well written beautiful spy mystery romance from around the Regency Period. Our female character has disability which in those times some people would send their children to the hospital for mental problems essentially and Alissa Johnson handled that subject and descriptions of memories of treatments well and with a realism that brought me to the point of tears added with the info our girl had not been socially active ever because of it. Our male character is a known hero, knighted along with his 2 friends together known as The Thief Takers! So, these 2 wonderful characters from different worlds meet because of business for the Crown or government which throws them into running together from paid brutes for a List a Spy wants. Then as they run we find out about each one's soul & heart and how they start to see plus depend on each other as they flee while creating false trails trying to stay alive. This was just an all around beautiful read, it was a beautiful storyline , beautifully told, beautiful characters and a beautiful satisfying ending! Definitely well worth reading.
WARNING: 16 & Up. SEXUAL CONTENT : NO mild kissing violence shooting stabbing
May 26, 2020
3.5 stars
I am a fan of Alissa Johnson's books. She doesn't have a long list but what's there is usually intelligent, thoughtful and sucks you in. Don't judge a book by its cover is true of this author's works - the cover blurb are not that attractive but you will find the gold once you begin, regardless of the blurb.
This last book in the Thief Taker trilogy is my least favourite. I liked the premise of a heroine with CAPS (it's a central auditory processing defect) - thought it was a brave move by the author - and the journey of her coming out of her shell and begin living after voluntarily staying at home for 6 years (following her release from asylum, where her father has tricked her into going - more of that in the book, heartrending).
But the romance fell flat. The connection and friendship was nicely building throughout the book - and it seemed all of a sudden in the middle the H and h started to develop "extra" feelings for each other. The consummation scene - and the events leading to it - were not believable and jarred from the earlier parts of the book. After that it was like a headlong rush to get to the bottom of the mystery and the book. That's how it felt to me as a reader anyway.
I will still pick up an AJ book and even re-read old favourites. But don't start here if this is your first Alissa Johnson.
I am a fan of Alissa Johnson's books. She doesn't have a long list but what's there is usually intelligent, thoughtful and sucks you in. Don't judge a book by its cover is true of this author's works - the cover blurb are not that attractive but you will find the gold once you begin, regardless of the blurb.
This last book in the Thief Taker trilogy is my least favourite. I liked the premise of a heroine with CAPS (it's a central auditory processing defect) - thought it was a brave move by the author - and the journey of her coming out of her shell and begin living after voluntarily staying at home for 6 years (following her release from asylum, where her father has tricked her into going - more of that in the book, heartrending).
But the romance fell flat. The connection and friendship was nicely building throughout the book - and it seemed all of a sudden in the middle the H and h started to develop "extra" feelings for each other. The consummation scene - and the events leading to it - were not believable and jarred from the earlier parts of the book. After that it was like a headlong rush to get to the bottom of the mystery and the book. That's how it felt to me as a reader anyway.
I will still pick up an AJ book and even re-read old favourites. But don't start here if this is your first Alissa Johnson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2017
3.75 stars. An above average read with very likable MC. The year this book takes place is never stated but based upon the prevalence of trains, sending messages by wire, etc, I would guess the latter part of 1800's. This book was different than most romances in that it had a mystery/suspense element to it. Jane, the heroine and Gabriel, the hero are basically forced to set out on a road trip as they try to avert and outsmart the villains who were on their tail. It was also different because Jane suffered from an auditory sensory condition that has been a source of shame and misunderstandings for Jane since she was a young girl. She has led a mostly solitary existence with her only friends being an older couple who share her home. For the most part, Jane does a wonderful job of hiding her handicap from Gabriel when he comes into her life.
One small complaint I would have with this book was aside from the mention of horses ridden, long dresses and bonnets, I would not have known this book to be a historical. To me, the language used seemed very modern and therefore the book did not have an authentic historical feel to it. Still, very likable characters, lively story with a spunky heroine and a very capable hero.
One small complaint I would have with this book was aside from the mention of horses ridden, long dresses and bonnets, I would not have known this book to be a historical. To me, the language used seemed very modern and therefore the book did not have an authentic historical feel to it. Still, very likable characters, lively story with a spunky heroine and a very capable hero.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews