The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch (Review and Giveaway!)

The Gentleman Spy is the second book in the Serendipity & Secrets series and once again, I found myself loving this engaging historical fiction novel that captivated me from beginning to end.

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch
Category: Adult Fiction, 304 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Fiction / Romance
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release dates: July 28, 2020
Tour dates: July 28 to August 18, 2020
Content Rating: PG + M (themes of family abuse, prostitution and some violence)

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

He only wanted a duchess for a day--but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life--as a secret agent for the Crown.

But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society--the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.

Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

MY REVIEW:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

In that first installment, we meet Marcus Haverly who is the second son of the Haverly family and a secret spy for the Crown. He was a great secondary character and I'm happy he got his own story. Marcus' life is about to drastically change when his father and older brother unexpectedly pass away and Marcus suddenly inherits a title and becomes a duke. How will he continue working undercover as an agent when all eyes are on him since he is now one of the most sought-after bachelors?

His mother gets to work looking for a suitable bride among the pretty young debutantes but Marcus impulsively chooses Lady Charlotte, a bluestocking who dresses plainly and loves books. He figures he can leave her to her duties as a duchess while he continues his work, however, the educated Charlotte has other ideas and follows her heart to help women who are forced into prostitution when they become widows of war veterans.

As both Marcus and Charlotte navigate the waters of their marriage of convenience, they of course fall in love. The author builds this romance beautifully with these two characters that are both strong yet cautious as they discover each other's true passions in life. With lots of action, witty dialogue and some humor, this Regency Christian romance satisfies the reader on all counts.

The third and last installment of the series titled The Indebted Earl, the story of Marcus Haverly’s younger sister, Sophie,will be released in March 2021, and I eagerly look forward to that story.

Disclosure: Thanks to Audra Jennings and the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Christianbook.com

Add to Goodreads

Praise for the Serendipity & Secrets Series

“Erica Vetsch brings such a fresh, true voice to Regency romance. She catches all that’s best about the genre while weaving together a fast-paced, intriguing story full of characters I cared about so much. I can’t wait for book two!”
~ Mary Connealy, author of the best-selling High Sierra Sweethearts and Wild at Heart series

“Love Regency? How about a swoon-worthy hero and a plot that twists and turns yet ties up in a neat bow at the end? Then get thee to a bookstore! The Lost Lieutenant is all that and more, from the battlefield of Salamanca to the gowns and suits at Almack’s. This is my favorite Erica Vetsch title to date and earns a place on my keeper shelf.”
~ Michelle Griep, Christy Award–winning author of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series

“A riveting Regency read, with captivating characters, that will tug at your heartstrings.”
~ Carolyn Miller, best-selling author of the Regency Brides series

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).