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Lost Ladies of London #1

The Mysterious Miss Flint

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The earl’s goal was to find his missing sister. The last thing he expected to find was love.

Having spent two years abroad to avoid his father’s schemes to see him wed, Oliver Darby returns to England to claim his inheritance. As Earl of Stanton, and confirmed bachelor, he expects to settle into a comfortable life. But when he discovers his sister, Rose, is missing and has not been seen for six months, it’s evident his father is capable of manipulating events from beyond the grave.

When Nicole Flint accepted the role of paid companion to Lady Rose Darby, nothing was as it seemed. Whisked away from London to a haunted manor that once housed the insane, the two ladies are kept prisoner with no hope of reprieve. But when an opportunity arises for one of them to escape, Nicole knows she must be the one to stay. After all, her purpose for working has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with the need to hide from her controlling brother.

Thrown together in a wild adventure full of lies and deceit, guilt forces Oliver and Nicole to search for the lost Lady Rose. The overwhelming attraction that exists between them only complicates matters. He’s a man driven by passion and lust. She’s a lady looking for true love. But on their journey of discovery, both must learn that the two are inexplicably entwined.

Features:
A Regency historical romance with an emphasis on mystery.
This novel contains some descriptive sex scenes.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2017

829 people are currently reading
322 people want to read

About the author

Adele Clee

54 books531 followers
Adele Clee writes historical romance mysteries set in the early nineteenth century. Her stories blend romance with intrigue, gothic atmosphere, and a touch of scandal, often unfolding in Regency and early Victorian London. Readers praise her scarred heroines, brooding heroes, and the way love and mystery intertwine across each series.

Amazon - http://author.to/AdeleClee

Download the complete Adele Clee reading list here: https://www.adeleclee.com/booklist.html

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Angie.
1,400 reviews235 followers
January 29, 2020
A woman trapped is rescued by her knight that believes he is anything but...

Nicole is a woman on the run, hiding from her controlling brother and sister-in-law and posing as a paid companion to Rose. When Rose's brother Oliver returns to London after their father's death, she has just run away from the house arrest their father had imprisoned Rose and Nicole in. As Nicole and Oliver join forces to find Rose and unravel the mess their father left in the wake of his death, Nicole discovers that she's found everything she's ever wanted in Oliver, while he slowly realizes everything he has believed about love was a facade of the truth. This novel had plenty of mystery and intrigue, but was definitely lacking in the steam department.. It does leave off in a cliffhanger that leads into the next book, so beware!
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,271 reviews55 followers
August 24, 2021
This was a romance mystery. I skimmed some pages.

Oliver was an earl w/ a missing sister Rose & Nicole a
gent's daughter who served as Rose's companion and
friend. Rose and Nic were imprisoned & Nic helped her
escape.

Oliver favored passion over love (which he compared
to opium). He tried to seduce Nicole. He became a
Johnny one-note about his lust. How did this couple
have time to flirt & kiss when Rose might be in danger?
Towards the end, readers were given a clue RE the where-
abouts of Rose.

The mystery disappointed. Ms. Clee has written better,
more interesting, more complex books.
Profile Image for Gerbera_Reads.
1,688 reviews154 followers
November 3, 2019
I quite liked the MCs - Nicole and Oliver. Nicole was intelligent, brave and sassy. Oliver was approachable and smart as well as compassionate - a true gentleman. I liked their banter - sharp and witty. Although I must admit that the language used between them while flirting skirted on the edge of racy for that time period. The their quest to find Rose, Oliver's missing sister, was fun, and the way they went about it was rather clever. But the whole inheritance papers plot was way too obvious and veered into hilarious territory at times. There were couple of intimate scenes that were well written, but what completely ruined it for me was the fact that everything happened within a two day period at the end of which Nicole pronounced Oliver her one and true love. Say what? I really liked parts of the story, and if the passage of time was longer and the feelings that they expressed felt genuine, the story would have been golden. I am afraid that Rose's story timeline in the next book will be as short as this one, and I was so curious about what happened to her. Cute historical romance but way too insta love for me.
Profile Image for Christy Hall.
367 reviews95 followers
March 14, 2021
This should be a fun, adventurous, romantic mystery...instead I found a muddled plot with more romance than historical fact or logical action. I can excuse the few errors that Clee could have resolved by paying for a good editor. I can excuse the focus on romance. It had some fun scenes. I can’t excuse the lack of historical accuracy in dialogue and plot. Nicole and Oliver should be looking for his missing sister but they spend precious time solving stupid side mysteries that fail to incite any excitement. Big reveals feel like lame attempts to cause drama and are so easily handled that they clearly have no real purpose so why include them? Also the love story is instant and not believable. Oh well...I should have known better than to read one of her books again. Most of the time, I find them annoying. Occasionally, I find one worthy of ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ but not this time.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,251 reviews99 followers
May 5, 2020
Oliver Darby has spent the last two years in Italy in an effort to avoid his father's machinations. With his father now dead Oliver has returned to England as the new Earl of Stanton to claim his inheritance and settle into comfortable bachelorhood. When he arrives to find his sister, Rose, has been missing for six months, he realizes his father's duplicity went even deeper than he'd realized.

Desperate to escape her greedy, abusive brother and sister-in-law, Nicole Flint took on the role of paid companion to Lady Rose Darby. The position turned out to be nothing she expected, with both she and Rose held prisoner in a former asylum. When a chance arises for one of them to escape, Nicole knows it must be Rose who leaves. After all, Nicole merely needs to stay hidden from her brother, so it makes more sense for her to stay behind.

When Oliver arrives to save his sister only to find her gone, he and Nicole find themselves unraveling an elaborate web of lies. The attraction between them causes further complication and distraction they can't afford, especially when Oliver believes in passion but not love and Nicole is a romantic looking for her one true love. To find Rose, and themselves, they must both reevaluate everything they thought they knew about life and love.

I really enjoyed the gothic feel and mystery of this one. It was rather different and refreshing compared to what I've been reading as of late. I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was lovely and enhanced the book. This was a new to me narrator but I'll look for more of her work and continue this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Picky_Book_B1tch.
625 reviews57 followers
August 11, 2021
4.5 Stars

This was fun, fast and fabulous read. Pure entertainment! There is an HEA, of course but part of the mystery carries on into the next in the series.
244 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2018
The Mysterious Miss Flint starts a new series for Adele Clee and it is certainly a fantastic start.
Oliver Darby, the new Earl of Stanton arrives home after the death of his estranged father to find that his sister Rose is missing and has not been seen for 6 months. He learns of a former asylum that his father recently acquired but willed to an unknown lady called Miss Flint and sets off there in the hope he will find Rose.
Once he gets there he finds Rose gone aided by her companion Miss Flint who is still at the manor.
Instantly attracted to Miss Flint, he insists she accompany him on his search for Rose and also finalise the paperwork in regards to her inheritance.
Miss Nicole Flint has her own secrets and is in desperate need of help. She sees in Oliver and his revelation of her inheritance a chance to secure an uncertain future
So begins their journey. I can’t really go too much into the story as it is full of twists and turns and there are many surprises along the way. The reader is kept guessing the whole of the way through the book.
Oliver and Nicole are a great couple. Oliver is initially cynical about love and Nicole is a great believer despite her difficulties.
I loved Oliver’s character. Despite being a bit of a rake, he is loyal, honourable and honest. There are occasions when he is confronted with some of Nicole’s secrets he could have been angry but he sees her reasons and readily understands her deception. He never doubts her which is refreshing.
Nicole is also such a strong character. She is intrepid and courageous but never loses her sweetness. The banter and honest conversation between the two is wonderful.
I loved this first book in Adele’s Lost Ladies series and can’t wait to find out what happened to Rose. Really looking forward to ‘The Deceptive Lady Darby’
I received and ARC copy for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for E.G. Manetti.
Author 18 books157 followers
May 20, 2019
This has all the elements of a first rate historical; a handsome and dashing nobleman who is a bit of a rake; a lady in disguise fleeing a vile suitor; Gothic suspense; and a well developed love story that doesn't rush to the steam, but builds to a nice explosion.

Although not a cliff-hanger since the story ends with an HEA, it's last page is a lead-in for the next book -- an unresolved plot thread from this one. A device I find annoying.

4.5 Stars.
Profile Image for Tam.
2,179 reviews53 followers
July 31, 2017
Adele Clee pens another winner with The Mysterious Miss Flint!

This story was packed with everything that makes a suspenseful historical romance novel a MUST read for me. It had an intriguing plot line that had some twists and surprises that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters are so vivid and full of life that they seem to step right off of the pages. The banter between Nicole and Oliver is smart, amusing and witty. The chemistry between the two of them nearly crackles off the pages. And, the descriptive imagery pulls you in and makes you feel a part of each scene. Throw in a well-thought-out mystery that needs solving, and you have all the ingredients necessary for a slightly dark and thoroughly delicious read!

I was left wanting to read more from the author, and that's how you start a series off right!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this story in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Profile Image for Rachel-RN.
2,421 reviews29 followers
November 27, 2023
Nicole is a companion to Rose, an Earl's daughter. After Rose falls in love with the wrong person, her father locks her and Nicole away in an old asylum. They are there for several months and the Earl dies leaving his son, Oliver, to inherit. Oliver has been on the Continent to get away from his father and he had no idea Rose was locked away. Anyway, an opportunity to escape presents itself. But, only one can go, so Rose is the one to leave. Nicole has her own reasons for wanting to stay hidden.
Both Nicole and Oliver join forces to find Rose. They also discover some other things that aren't as they seem. The romance in this one is insta-love. When it was all said and done, it was too fast considering Rose is missing (and is still missing at the end of the book- but her whereabouts are discovered).
Profile Image for Anne.
831 reviews7 followers
January 22, 2022
Elements of a gothic style romance

Rose and her companion Miss Nicole Flint are imprisoned in a former asylum by Rose’s evil father the Earl of Stanton. Finally, after six months of captivity in the gloomy manor, Nicole aids Rose to escape. Unbeknownst to either of them, Rose’s father has died and her brother has inherited the title. Oliver is desperate to find his sister. What follows has elements of mystery, suspense, tension, romance, heat, villainy and humour. Will Oliver find his sister? Will Nicole be rescued from the Manor? Who is behind the evil doings and what and who is Nicole hiding from? This is an enthralling tale with passion and romance that had me second guessing what would come next. I look forward to reading the second book in this Lost Ladies of London series.
Profile Image for BigComfyChairBookReviews.
182 reviews14 followers
January 8, 2018
Another Winner From Clee
I enjoyed the gothic mystery and I really didn't think it was too predictable there were definitely some gut-wrenching twists. I liked both Nicole and Oliver and thought they were well developed characters with good dynamics. It was very much an adventure and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the drama at the end. I think sometimes Clee is afraid of going too dark with her mysteries and that sometimes leaves them feeling superficial but with this one she did go a little darker and more dramatic and I appreciated it. I have read everything published by Adele Clee and one of my favorite things about her is her consistency. I think of her 18 works I've only given two 3-star ratings. The rest are 4s or 5s. So, if you liked this book I would recommend more of her books. “A Simple Case of Seduction” is my personal favorite. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG.
Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5
Profile Image for Heather.
439 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2018
Oliver Darby left London to escape his father's manipulating ways. When the old Earl passed away and Oliver returned to London as the new Earl of Stanton, he discovered his father was capable of controlling events from beyond the grave. Oliver's sister, Rose, was missing, and he knew his father was behind her disappearance.

When Oliver arrived at the place where his sister was held prisoner, he found Rose gone and a companion, Nicole, in her place. Oliver and Nicole set out to search for Rose, but matters were complicated by a stolen identity, spurned lovers, a savage relative, and their undeniable attraction to each other.

This was a great mix of romance and mystery! It's the first in the series, and was all about Oliver and Nicole. Rose's story is continued in the sequel. It's a steamy read with a set of main characters that can't keep their hands off each other. It had a suspenseful plot and kept me hooked through the entire listen.

I love a strong willed and intelligent heroine, and Nicole was both. She kept a level head and usually came up with the plans. I loved that Oliver recognized her intelligence and never argued with her for the sake of having his way. He respected her and it showed in their every interaction. I loved their dialogue and the way they teased each other. They really had great chemistry.

The narration was done well, she performed different voices for each character and read dramatically. It was a great performance, especially her voices for Oliver and Nicole. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews113 followers
October 8, 2017

EXCEPTIONAL
Adele Clee At her best , a story of deception, lies, and growing love .
It doesn’t get better than this , fast moving, constant energy ,gripping storyline, with twists you really don’t expect,
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋💋
Oliver Darby returns to England after the death of his father the Earl , to find his sister is missing , hidden away by his father .
Nicole has been hired by Oliver’s father to be a companion to Rose Darby , they have been held in an old asylum for 6 months .After helping Rose to escape she meets Oliver , it’s lust at first sight , or is it love ?
The two of them spend time looking for the elusive Rose , but Nicole’s brother is still intent on her betrothal to another in return for money to get him out of debt , and she must stay away from him .
What will happen to the two of them ?
Is this lust , or is it really love?
And where is Rose?

I love Adele’s books and can’t wait for more !
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review x
Profile Image for Susan.
7,257 reviews69 followers
December 2, 2019
Oliver Darby returns to England to claim his title as the 4th Earl of Stanton only to find his younger sister, Rose, missing. His search leads him to Morton Manor, only to find Rose missing, but her companion Miss Flint still needs his help.
An enjoyable easy read of romance mixed with mystery, that has a strong female lead.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy.
Profile Image for Maria Dariotis .
783 reviews17 followers
August 1, 2017


Oliver Darby is the new Earl of Stanton and he's furious with his late father, his sister is missing with no word for six months and he needs to find her! It's just like his father to have the last word even beyond the grave!

Nicole Flint never expected that her role as companion she'd be a prisoner with her charge Lady Rose Darby, in a haunted manor that once housed the insane. Orchestrating Lady Roses escape comes first, she will deal with the guards later. She has her own secrets that she hides, that keep her from venturing out in public.

What Nicole never anticipated was Rose's brother Oliver
to make an appearance. And demanding for his sister, Nicole feels the attraction between them from the start and also the guilt, She offers to help find Rose . Oliver has kept away from matters of the heart but there's just something about Nicole that has him wanting more of her.

A wild adventure of lust and passion drive them over the edge realizing that they can never be separated. Where Oliver ran from emotional attachments he now found that
She's worth fighting every foe in her past to make her his.

A wild adventure full of lies and deceit, secrets exposed
have you turning the pages till you read the last page.
A lady looking for love finds the answer to her dreams.

I received a complimentary copy from the author for my honest unbiased opinion.

Profile Image for Sandra.
556 reviews9 followers
September 3, 2018
An absorbing and enticing start to a new series.

Great plot packed with intrigue, conspiracy, passion and love.
Loved the connection between the hero and heroine as they band together to seek missing sister and friend Lady Rose. Nicole and Oliver's compassionate and strong willed natures lead to some spicy musings and witty banter that keeps you eager to read and dissect each clue disclosed to help unravel the many mysteries surrounding the cruel and manipulative intent of the late Lord Stanton. The addition of Nicole's abusive past and her desperation to run from her brother and sister-in-law's selfish plans for her, only thickens the sinister shadow that cloaks this tale, making you even more emotionally invested in the outcome. Overall an enjoyable read that captures and holds your interest, leaving you eager to read the next book whilst being left satisfied with the much desired happy ever after at it's conclusion. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a light read crammed with mystery, passion, lustful musings and a happy ever after.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,700 reviews22 followers
May 18, 2024
The Mysterious Miss Flint is a captivating tale of mystery and romance set against the backdrop of Regency England. The story unfolds with Oliver Darby, the Earl of Stanton, returning to England to find his sister, Lady Rose Darby, missing. In his quest, he crosses paths with Nicole Flint, a woman with secrets of her own, posing as Lady Rose’s paid companion.

As Oliver and Nicole search for the lost Lady Rose, they are drawn together by an undeniable attraction. However, their journey is fraught with lies and deceit, and they must navigate through the treacherous waters of passion and lust while remaining focused on their mission.

Adele Clee weaves a rich tapestry of historical detail and emotional depth, creating a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming. The characters are well-crafted, with Oliver’s determination and Nicole’s bravery shining through. The novel is a delightful blend of suspense and love, proving that sometimes, the most mysterious journeys lead to the most extraordinary destinations.
2,313 reviews11 followers
May 6, 2018
This is a romantic mystery historical novel that rolls off the pages and off the tongue of the narrator beautifully.
Oliver has very set ideas on love and lust and believes only in lust. Nicole on the other hand truly believes that love (and trust) is an essential part of any good relationship between a man and a woman. She also is very honest and isn't shy to voice her beliefs. So whose ideals will win out? Guess you will have to read/listen to this story to find out.
Be prepared for many twists and turns that will will keep you guessing about what is to happen next. You might also find yourself first routing for one of the characters and later for the other.
I loved everything about this story and hope you do too.
Note: Although this is a complete story, it continues with another adventure in book 2.
I requested and received a free copy of the audiobook and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Sheryl.
1,891 reviews38 followers
April 10, 2018
3-1/2 stars: The second half of the book bumped this from 3 stars to 3-1/2. This is pretty typical historical romance fare. Not as much mystery as I expected, but a little. The hero, Oliver, spent way too much of the first half thinking about how much he wanted to bed the heroine, Nicole. Yeah, yeah. I get it. Enough already. Stick with the story. And yes, there was an actual story— one with a missing young woman, hidden identities, evil family members, and a lecherous old man, among other things. The second half got more exciting but again used pretty traditional historical romance obstacles and villains. Likable characters and decent writing had me rounding up the stars to 4 rather than settling it at 3. The next book has me mildly intrigued since it is the story of the missing sister they spent the book looking for. Not sure yet if I will read it. Maybe, maybe not.
Profile Image for Inishowen Cailín.
888 reviews53 followers
April 25, 2018
My favourite genre is historical mystery romance. The Mysterious Miss Flint fits the bill perfectly. There's plenty of suspense, a few twists and a good mystery for Oliver and Nicole to solve whilst falling in love with one another. I loved the Gothic feel to the beginning of the novel where Rose and Nicole were kept under lock and key in a former asylum in the countryside. It was quite an exciting start to the story.

Oliver and Nicole made an adorable couple. I loved how much care Oliver took of Nicole and how he always took her side in any argument involving her. The ending of the story left me wanting more. I am especially intrigued about Rose and I can't wait to find out what happens next. I'm also hoping to see more from Oliver and Nicole as well.

A very entertaining book. I will definitely want to read the rest of the series.
169 reviews
May 17, 2018
The first in the Lost Ladies series, and also sets up the second book of the series. Clee does an excellent job of giving the reader a strong sense of place and atmosphere.

The characters are interesting - she's a little bit naive, even though she has a truly awful family situation, and he's rather jaded, also because of family issues, but he's not a bad guy at all.

I enjoyed the adventure they took. Nicole's brother and sister-in-law were fairly hideous, and the would-be-fiance a total nutter. It was a strong contrast to the real concern and genuine care that Olive had for Rose.

I am heading towards the last book in the series, and I can say, this first book definitely set the pace and expectations for the rest of the books. Well-crafted and interesting!
Profile Image for Janet Welling.
865 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2020
Enjoyable, light read.

My mother would call this book by Adele Clee, “mind candy” or a “delightful piece of fluff.” It is a fun read with some mystery and suspense, some humour and great banter between the hero and heroine. There is very little substance however. Most of the pages are taken up with Oliver and Nicole having lustful thoughts of each other, usually at the most inopportune times. After a while it got to be quite ridiculous which, is a shame because the thread of the story is quite interesting. It just got bogged down with a lot of nonsense. Overall, the main characters are very likeable and the story moves along quickly. A great read if you just want to fill time while on the train ride to work or, are spending the afternoon at the beach.
Profile Image for Ellamay McC.
106 reviews
June 27, 2024
Adele Clee's "The Mysterious Miss Flint" is a captivating historical romance novel. The story has interesting characters, unexpected plot twists, and just enough mystery. Miss Arabella Flint, the main character, is a strong, independent woman who goes against the grain of her time. Mr. Theodore Montgomery, an enigmatic and charming gentleman with secrets of his own, adds to the intrigue. The chemistry between these two is electric, and their journey to love is heartwarming and suspenseful. Clee's writing style is elegant and immersive, so much so that you'll feel like you've time-travelled to the Regency era.

This book is a must-read if you're into historical romance and mystery. It's a well-crafted love story wrapped up in a tale of intrigue and charm.
811 reviews8 followers
July 31, 2017
A great read and page-turner! Today the Darby family would be described as dysfunctional. Before his death, the late Earl of Stanton arranged matters to torment and haunt his only son and heir from the grave and put him on a guilt trip. Oliver is determined to heal the family, but first he has to locate his younger sister, Rose. Arriving just a day late to free Rose, Oliver finds Miss Flint still at the manor. Together they start their search for Rose, the time spent together bringing them closer. Along the way there are several surprises and twists for the characters and the reader, but all masterfully arranged by Adele Clee. I'm already looking forward to book 2!
416 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2021
Excellent Read

Very interesting first book in the series. Well Written and book cover striking. The plot had a number of twists, turns and sub plots, one could feel Oliver, Lord Stanton's frustration whilst trying to find his sister Rose. The baddies, which included Oliver's father, Nicole's brother and sister in law were all money grabbers and manipulators all got what they deserved. Lord Mosgrove Nicole's supposed intended, I couldn't quite work out how old he was, but he did deserve a thrashing for leaving Nicole to die in the fire. All in all I would say this was a very good read and I look forward to the next story.
Profile Image for Christine Woinich.
2,784 reviews26 followers
May 12, 2018
This was a fun listen, and Liisa Ivary did a wonderful job of keeping me interested with her emotions as she narrated. Nicole has been through a lot but still has the ability to trust the right person. Oliver is full of guilt and does not want closeness with anyone. I enjoyed both characters and their journeys to finding themselves and true love. I recommend this story (book or audio) and look forward to the next in the series.

I received a copy of this audiobook as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
Profile Image for Monika.
487 reviews
July 30, 2017
The Mysterious Miss Flint is another great book by Adele Clee. While searching for his sister, Oliver meets Miss Flint and enlists her help in the search. Their verbal battles are a lot of fun. Their chemistry is undeniable. But it seems impossible for Oliver to escape his father's devious plans even after he buried him. The twists and turns of this mystery keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like regency romance as well as mysteries this book is for you. Highly recommended.
2,440 reviews29 followers
July 31, 2017
This was an excellent start to a new series. There were many layers of the mystery that were slowly revealed, along with many twists and turns. It kept me engrossed until the end. The main characters, Oliver and Nicole, had an instant attraction and some very heated moments. I'm looking forward to reading the next in this series.
I received an arc and I voluntarily reviewed it. This is my honest review.
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