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Mistress Of Rye

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In this intriguing Regency romance, Lady Katherine's stepbrother has tried to assault her in order to force a marriage and obtain her inheritance. She mistakenly believes she has killed him in self-defense, and so, she has to run away to escape the gallows. She must avoid scandal at all costs. She must protect the family name so her brother, who is missing in the Napoleonic wars, can return home to claim his rightful inheritance. Seeking shelter from the law, Lady Katherine offers herself as mistress to the enigmatic Duke of Rye, a national hero. She plans to leave the country the moment her brother is back on English soil. The duke, himself traumatized by the war, takes her as his mistress, thinking she is an imposter or an actress. But, as he comes to appreciate her noble qualities and her courage, he cannot help falling in love with her in spite of the difference in their station. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, both her brother and the duke belong to a secret group within the War Office. The group is currently focused on rescuing her brother, while also searching for his missing sister who has suddenly disappeared. No one in the group suspects that the missing sister is the duke's new, mysterious mistress. But what will happen when they do? What will happen when the duke finds out he is harboring a murderess?

238 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2021

2335 people want to read

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Emma Reid

1 book11 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Wendy Beckman.
Author 14 books32 followers
October 4, 2021
Mistress Of Rye by Emma Reid is a fantastic read!

The Duke of Rye, injured in the war, is struggling with his physical and mental wounds. He self-medicates by engaging in frolics with mistresses and many bottles of liquor. One night, however, his spiral downward is interrupted by the arrival of a young woman at his door. Despite the impropriety of this act, he listens to her plea and proposition: to become his mistress. He reluctantly acquiesces, only to find himself falling in love with her. He becomes convinced that she is not the loose woman of the streets whom he usually took for mistresses. Meanwhile, she is also falling in love with him and realizes that to protect him she will need to leave England. As is custom in this subgenre of romance fiction, sex is broadly hinted at but never graphically presented.

As each story line was connected, it was done in such a way that the reader feels the good fit of each resolution. Even so, a few surprises pop up along the way.

The only thing that bothered me about the book is the punctuation and a few spelling inconsistencies. The author opens quotes but does not close them, or she doesn't open a quote and then does close it. Still, it's a minor annoyance in the face of such good writing.

As I read this book, I fairly chomped at the bit, tempted to go the the end to see how all the story threads would get tied up. (I admit that I did go to the end to see if one certain character survived. I won't say who and I won't say if he did or not.) I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Kristin.
113 reviews8 followers
September 24, 2021
If you are looking for a good love story that allows characters to truly get to know one another but also throw in some “murder”, historical settings, and family drama you have Emma Reid’s historical romance, Mistress of Rye. Katherine is desperate to find refuge from her past and family. She thinks that she killed her stepbrother and so runs away to hide from a death sentence. In her search for safety, she finds herself at the Duke of Rye’s home clenching to a news article stating he had ended relations with his former mistress. It was her ticket to protection if he agreed to take her. Reid has such a great style of writing with detail and building great chemistry between each character. Katherine, the female protagonist is a strong, resilient woman and not the typical “damsel in distress”. The Duke of Ryes gave me Mr. Darcy/ Mr. Rochester vibes. The way that Reid starts the story out with an exhausted, almost broken Duke of Ryes and a desperate Katherine requesting to be his mistress was so well done. Throughout the book, you are given pieces of the characters’ own stories and their trauma. This is how the author is able to build such a natural and true relationship even under chaotic situations. I love historical romance and I am used to more sensual stories but Reid did such a great job telling this romance without using those moments. I really loved Mistress of Rye and hope to see more from Emma Reid in the future!!
Profile Image for Kourtney Bradley.
481 reviews10 followers
September 26, 2021
Romance and lust, adventure and betrayal

In Mistress of Rye, the main character Lady Katherine is determined to preserve her family name, even after suffering attempted assault at the hands of her stepbrother. She does the only thing she knows to do and that is to flee from the home in desperation. In this Regency romance novel, readers are shown what can be at stake when there is nowhere to turn and there can be trouble around every corner. The newfound romance that comes when Lady Katherine meets the Duke of Rye is compelling and remarkable, specifically the courage shown by both characters at even their weakest moments. With the new romance in the air and the search for the missing Lady in full force, it's a remarkable journey while there is a secret to be kept at all costs. This one is an exciting read and the romance is definitely a memorable one. There's desperation, lust, fear, and determination in a world where it's hard to know who you can turn to and who can be trusted
Profile Image for Ashley Mitchell.
441 reviews10 followers
September 22, 2021
Fantastic historical romance!!

Emma Reid’s Mistress of Rye is a wonderful 19th century historical fiction detailing war, class status, and murder. It showcases two people— a strong, noble, and all-together well-written female protagonist and a charming war hero—getting to know each other without the distraction of social niceties or station. In written fiction, this is a good route to finding a truer relationship, and writing a good romance. Mistress of Rye plays with the ‘constantly searching for someone right beneath your eye’ trope, but the story, dialogue, and research put into this book make it beautiful. Especially the strength and intelligence found in the main character and the likable pairing with the Duke, contrasting with the period realistic struggle she faces after being attacked and he faces after being traumatized by war. Altogether, if you like historical fiction or romances, I highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for Pegboard.
1,823 reviews9 followers
September 23, 2021
Mistress of Rye by Emma Reid captures the mystique of a mysterious lover and the thrill of discovering her secrets. Kate Hill showed up at the Duke of Rye's home seeking a safe place to hide before securing the funds to travel to America. Julius, Duke of Rye, is drowning his nightmares of war. He finds she is the calm in his storm, and she finds he is a haven in which to hide. Will he discover her secrets before she leaves, and can he let her go?

I found Mistress of Rye fascinating as Emma Reid brings an unusual twist to Regency romance. You feel the distress Kate must suffer as she is terrified she will be discovered. Her strength to do what is needed, even if it means shame and ruin, is intriguing. I enjoyed the journey of love and look forward to seeing which of Julius's friends fall in love next.
Profile Image for Celeste.
995 reviews26 followers
September 25, 2021
“Mistress of Rye” written by Emma Reid is a Regency romance novel. I am a fan of romantic books and this genre is one that I usually enjoy. Set in the British Isles the story follows Lady Katherine’s fortunes and misfortunes. With her brother missing and escaping from a forced marriage, she has to make a life for herself so she decides to offer herself as a mistress to the Duke of Rye.
This sounds like the typical love story but the author has introduced certain particularities to the plot that make it very original and griping. Apart from reading and following the growth and changes of the characters along the book, I really enjoyed the time the writer took to skilfully describe the setting and how life was at that time. The writing style is excellent. I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it.
Profile Image for Evelyn.
1,267 reviews27 followers
September 25, 2021
When times are tough, I always search for a romance story. However, recently I've found it more and more difficult to find a novel that delivers that feel good experience or that attracts me from the very beginning. I dare to say that I am very glad to have discovered this masterpiece. Mistress of Rye is an amazing historical fiction written by a talented and great author.
It contains fantasy, drama, intrigue, mystery, love and death. This book made me lost easily in its pages and I could not stop reading it!
Emma Reid has a clever mind which weaves an intricate but captivating story. The attention to detail is so in depth that I could felt as I was inside the story. Also, the character development is excellent and they are so well fleshed out that I could easily empathize with them.
I would definitely recommend this novel, I loved it.
Profile Image for Alfredo R.
603 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2021
Lovely novel
I liked “Mistress of Rye” by Emma Raid, a fantasy piece of literature set in what I would say is Victorian times.

The main reason why I fancy the story is that it is well developed and beautifully described. Raid’s writing style is just fantastic. Her sentences seem to be whimsical and made me fall in love with the main character.

I am not frequently fond of romantic novels but this one was different. There is a mystery that needs to be solved and that kept me at the edge of my seat while a beautiful love story was unveiled.

I recommend this book to those who want to spend a week or so reading a worthy story. This reader captivated my mind and warmed my heart, and I really hope other readers can feel this, too.

I give this story four stars because it was quite long, but I really enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Aparna Preethi.
Author 1 book56 followers
September 22, 2021
Historical romance novels are always fascinating, and one example of this is 'Mistress of Rye' by Emma Reid. The central protagonist is Lady Katherine. Her step-brother is forcing her to get married soon so that he can get her inheritance. She has to run from her house because she believes that she slew her step-brother while defending him. So, she escapes and reaches Duke of Rye and she proclaims herself as his mistress. The love elements start with the upcoming events happening between them. The suspense of the story lies between the past of Katherine.

This is a wonderful love tale told between two unknown people and the chemistry between them is an enthralling one. I enjoyed the book, not even a single line is boring. This is a very engaging read.
Profile Image for Santiago Flores.
1,042 reviews11 followers
September 30, 2021
This is a novel that captured my attention from the very beginning. The plot is more than captivating and the twists and turns got me reading for hours, hooked on the pages.

Lady Katherine’s life was put at risk and was forced to change because of her evil step brother and all that because of her inheritance. Money has always been important and in those times, marriages were managed because of money.

To escape from this destiny, and because she believes this evil man is dead, she ends up meeting Duke of Rye and that is when all the adventure and attractive situations start. 

I would recommend reading this novel because it has a very good plot, great narrative and well-developed characters that attracts any reader. 
Profile Image for Susan B.
495 reviews10 followers
September 25, 2021
Romance stories of marriage, inheritance, mistresses, distress, royal highnesses with war always at play are the kind of stories I love. Mistress of Rye is a sweet tale of Regency romance about Lady Katherine, whose stepbrother wants her heritage by forcing a marriage.
Author Reid has been able to mingle prose with pieces of dialogues and craft a fantastic piece of literature able to appeal to all our senses.
Even though this book does not have poems in it, the narrative has a romantic poetic style that enchants.
Loaded with descriptive scenes that bring lines to life, this book is able to make anyone believe in love, even if they are not fans of it. Well-deserved 5 stars for Reid!
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,346 reviews25 followers
September 25, 2021
These types of romance novels are my favourite and “Mistress of Rye" did not disappoint. The story goes about Lady Katherine and how she managed to escape from a forced marriage doing things that leave her with no other choice than disappearing.

The story gets even better when she finds shelter as a mistress of the Duke of Rye and when they start to really know each other, things start to get a little confusing for both of them and what they feel.

To sum up, this regency novel has some mystery, adventure and love, making it a very gripping read. I like author Emma Reid's work so I'm going to check more of her work.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
September 29, 2021
A regency romance full of mystery and courage, hidden secrets, mysterious encounters, dastardly villains and hopeless romantics. Lady Katherine is seeking to hide her identity after a vicious encounter with her stepbrother. She seeks the position as mistress for a reclusive Duke and soon the secrets begin to pile up around them both.
Recently diving into the regency world, I have to say I liked this book, the story was predictable in some spots, however, the relationship between Katherine and Duke Rye developed at a good pace and the tension between them and her secrets kept the story flowing smoothly. Very good book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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