Lord Alistair Bevan, Viscount Farnham, has the weight of the world on his shoulders. With his father’s health ailing, the time has come for him to find a wife, produce an heir, and do his duty. But Alistair knows a traditional life is not for him, especially when a chance meeting with valet Joseph Logan turns his world upside down.Joe Logan came to London in search of his missing sister, Lily. … sister, Lily. But months have passed, and not only is Lily still lost, more children have disappeared as well. The trail of the missing children might be growing cold, but things are just starting to heat up between Joe and Alistair.
When both Alistair and Joe seek out the help of The Brotherhood—an underground organization dedicated to helping the gay community—they are drawn into a much deeper investigation of children who have gone missing all over London. When it begins to look like people very close to Alistair’s family are involved, Alistair finally has a chance to make his father proud. But will the wild and wicked love blossoming between Alistair and Joe help them find Lily, or will their affair be exposed and destroy both of them?
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam level – very spicy! And yes, this is an m/m romance, so if that’s not your thing, feel free to pass on this one.
THE BROTHERHOOD series consists of:
Just a Little Wickedness
Just a Little Temptation
Just a Little Danger
Just a Little Seduction
more
This is a new to me author, and I liked what she had to offer. There were moments where I had to suspend my disbelief a bit as well as words that I do not think were used at the time period but they didn’t distract me from enjoying the story. The MCs were likable and even relatable, the romance was probable and the crime investigations were fun to follow along. Although it featured insta attraction between Alistair the lord and Joe the valet, I am glad to say that the author gave them a bit of time off page to develop their feelings separately. The medium level of steam, playful humor and a touch of angst made this a very enjoyable read. Another thing I liked was the way Ms Farmer blurred the line between the classes as well as created a safe place for like minded men to simply be without fear of discovery. The idea of Brotherhood and the mystery of its creation were very intriguing. The secondary characters left a lasting impression, and I hope they will get a story as well. I will definitely continue with the series and check out this author’s other works.
Joe and Alistair’s story will make you swoon!
An interesting and page turning romantic historical romance! This first book in the Brotherhood series starts with Alistair and Joe, the Viscount and the Valet. Please note this is an MM romance so if that isn’t your thing skip this.
Joe has come to London to try and find out what happened to his sister. He is working as a valet in the last place his sister was. There he meets Alistair and it’s perfectly imperfect because they both feel the chemistry but in those times it was very risky to be a gay man.
They struggle to come to terms with their feelings, while investigating missing children. This story has love, suspense, impossible decisions and more love. I just adored Joe and Alistair’s story and I can’t wait for book 2!! I definitely recommend and will definitely keep reading!
I enjoyed reading about Joe and Alistair. I liked that they were from different worlds. There is also great mystery and suspense because of all the missing children and I liked that they worked together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lord Alistair Bevan needs to marry soon in order to fulfill his duty to his father.
Joe Logan is a valet who is trying to find his sister Lily.
They have nothing in common, yet despite this, they feel an instant attraction to each other.
This was a bit long to read in certain spots, & not everything is solved by the end of the book.
Despite this, it was still a nice story.
Steamy, Suspenseful & Romantic
This Story was Absolutely Wonderful. I suggest to anyone to read the blurb before you purchase the book especially if you don’t want to read M/M romance.
It had just the right amount of sex for the length of the book. It isn’t grotesque but Romantic.
The ongoing mystery of missing children & a close family in the mix had me turning page after page. Well researched & gratifying story. Thank you Merry Farmer, I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series
I’m not usually into anything in the regency era but this was definitely a good read. I liked Alistair’s development and the cast of eclectic characters. The ending felt a little rushed, considering the build up to finding the missing children, but it set up the next book well for the continuation of the investigation. I’m glad Alistair and Joe found their happily ever after and I’m looking forward to the next book!
I wasn’t sure if I would like this genre of books. I do have to say it was a great story. It dealt with issues that a same sex couple would have gone through at that time and how they had to overcome.
Alistair a viscount who’s father wants him married so he can produce an heir but that’s not the life he wants. Joe a valet is in London looking for his missing sister. Alistair and Joe meet and go to The Brotherhood to help them and they find out there’s more than meets the eye. I really enjoyed this book.
Book one in the Brotherhood series a well written M/M story that has a mystery running through it that will be carried over to the next book. This is Alistair and Joe’s story. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fast paced story filled with an mystery and suspense along with a building romance that brings pulls it all together.
Alistair Bevan tried to humor his father. It seemed he was losing his mind, accusing the Eccless family, host of the dinner party they were attending to be slave traders. He insisted that the family keep their eyes open and see if they could find any evidence!
Of course his father also pointed out that Alistair needed to marry and produce a heir. Yes, he knew what his duty was, but it was not his desire. No, it turned his blood cold.
Then he meets Joe Logan, a valet at the Eccless dinner party when his father ends up with soup spilled on him. There is an immediate connection between the two and he finds out Joe’s fourteen year old sister Lily is missing. She had come to work as a maid for them and had not been seen for several months.
Then it begins to get very interesting. As the two seek the help of an underground organization, The Brotherhood, they find out about children missing in London, just like Lily.
Suspense, a mystery, an unconventional romance and a fast page turner kept my interest until the end wondering what would happen next!!
This book involved two stories. The first story is the romance between Alister and Joe and the second story is about the young children who are disappearing in London. One of those missing is Joe’s fourteen year old sister, Lily. Alister and Joe are attracted to each other at the first meeting but need to hide their growing feelings because of the times they live in. As they search for Lily, an illegal kidnapping/smuggling ring is discovered but all of the main participants are not found, this is the cliffhanger that leads into the next book. This is a well written book that is both entertaining and one that I would highly recommend as a great read. This is the beginning of a great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lord Alistair Bevan, Viscount Farnham, is feeling the pressure of being the heir to his ailing father’s earldom now more than ever. He knows it is his duty to marry and produce an heir, despite the fact that he’s always been different. Then he meets valet Joseph Logan by chance at a supper party and his whole world is shaken.
Joe is only in London to search for his sister, Lily, who went inexplicably missing from the very house where he’s gained employment. It seems other children have also disappeared, but months have passed and though Joe suspects his employer’s involvement, he’s no closer to finding any proof.
Joe & Alistair both seek help from an underground organization known as the Brotherhood and are drawn into a much larger investigation than they ever imagined. Since the family of Joe’s employer is very close to Alistair’s suspicious father, it seems this may be Alistair’s chance to truly make his father proud, unless his relationship with Joe is exposed and leads to ruin for them both.
This book had just the right mix of emotional, unconventional romance and suspenseful mystery. This was fast-paced and held my attention, the characters were well-drawn and overall this was very well done. The ongoing mystery has me very much looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
Lord Alistair Bevan, Viscount Farnham, has the weight of the world on his shoulders. With his father’s health failing, the time has come for him to find a wife, produce an heir, and do his duty. But Alistair knows a traditional life is not for him, especially when a chance meeting with valet Joseph Logan turns his world upside down. Joe Logan came to London in search of his missing sister, Lily, months have passed, and Lily still missing. When both Alistair and Joe seek out the help of The Brotherhood, which is an underground organization dedicated to helping the gay community, they are drawn into a much deeper investigation of children who have gone missing all over London.
This is the first book in a new series & I found it to be an engrossing read. I’ve only recently discovered the author & I’m loving her books. I found this to be a well written book which not only was a lovely romance but also highlighted the hypocrisy in late Victorian society on the surface people were straight laced, upstanding & highly critical & censorious of any behaviour not deemed normal but once the doors were closed things were much different. The book was so much more than the deepening affection & relationship between Alistair & Joe, which in itself was heart warming, it showed how much times have changed. It also dealt with human trafficking especially children. The pace was good & never lagged. The characters were well portrayed & they had plenty of depth. Not everything was resolved so I can’t wait for the next book in the series
Thank you to Booksprout for a copy which I voluntarily read
This story deals with two very poignant subjects – homosexuality and human trafficking. I thought both subjects were very well portrayed in this story. An aristocrat who does not know where to turn and a valet who shows him that there is a support system. The story of Alistair and Joe is sweet and lovely. Joe is trying to find his sister whom he believes has been abducted and then finds a network of children who have gone missing. The friends he has in high places are working very hard to help him find the missing children and we do see some resolution but it is not nearly over. Joe’s vulnerability regarding these children is heartbreaking. A wonderful beginning to this series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.