Nell Applegate was in over her head …
Running off with her best friend’s intended was not how she imagined securing the man of her dreams. Getting tangled in a web of espionage and mystery was also less than ideal.
Nathaniel Atlas was gorgeous and charming, an impossibly good catch for an unfashionable bluestocking like Nell, but what dangerous secrets were hidden under that polished … were hidden under that polished politician’s mask of his? What was he really after, and how did he become entangled with the enigmatic Silver Leaf Society in the first place?
What Nell doesn’t know is that her new husband is just as curious about her. How did this shy schoolgirl derail his life so thoroughly, and what in God’s name is she doing involved with spies and smugglers?
To find the answer, he’ll have to take her to the last place in the world he wishes to be … his childhood home.
Secrets and sacrifice are hidden deep in the ruins of Meridian House, if theare brave enough to unearth them.
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WHAT IS THE SILVER LEAF SOCIETY?
From the beginning I thought this is a very confusing book. The elopement of Nell and Nate? I kept thinking something was left out on why these two and how did they meet. What exactly are they looking for? Are they spies? The plot of the book started making some sense once Nell and Nate returned to his childhood home. The last few chapters really were the most revealing. I almost put this book down after the first few chapters, but I stayed with it to finish. The best part of the book is the development of the relationship between Nell and Nate. Some steamy sex. Now that I know more details about the Silver Leaf Society, may be the next book will be a lot easier to read. Mixed feelings on the rating. I want to give it 3 1/2 STARS*, but I’ll round it up to 4 STARS.*
This is my first time reading something by Ms. Devlin, and I really enjoyed it. Filled with mystery, adventure, and romance, this book will certainly keep you hooked and turning the pages well into the night. The plot was intriguing and exciting with many twists along the way that really keep you guessing. There are a number of secrets to uncover with a few surprises along the way. The characters are enchanting and so well defined. Nate and Nell make a wonderful couple and the chemistry between them is undeniable. I loved watching their relationship grow as they learned more about each other’s true selves. This was an entertaining read and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ava Devlin’s tale of espionage and relationship angst runs a convoluted course before the happy ending, something readers should know going in. This isn’t your Regency fluff, saucy-chit-scores-a-duke romance. Nell is a brainy bespectacled wallflower, and a spy for the Silver Leaf Society. Nate, a very smoothly polished man-about-town politician (House of Commons) is determined to infiltrate and expose the Silver Leaf Society for wrongs done to him and his family in the past. Its is the author’s nimble imagination which has them eloping from a house party in order to complete a spying mission, marrying in obedience to the mores of the time, and falling in love in the aftermath. This slow-burn love story boasts a plethora of secondary characters whose unique voices and behaviors lend realism to the action while they befuddle and bedevil the poor newlyweds. Nate and Nell must contend with echoes from their separate pasts returning to meddle in their futures, while shmoozing the neighbors, remodeling a mansion and trying to get each other into bed. it’s an engaging, if highly improbable tale which ends far more happily than many spy stories, or forced marriages. I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC, and i enjoyed it immensely.
Everything I love in a historical romance! The author did an outstanding job of weaving suspense, drama and romance together for a thrilling ride to see what would happen!
The first part almost read like just listening to the thoughts of the two main characters Nell and Nate as they ended up together trying to carry out a mission for the Silver Leaf Society. Nell had been involved with them and Nate very much wanted to be a part. He had not really paid much attention to Nell in the past but through their actions of working together to procure an object that was needed, they had put themselves in the situation of needing to marry so there would be no scandal.
Confused? Trust me you just need to start reading and before you know it the story takes over and you cannot put it down! I truly could not wait to see how these two, who really did not know each other well, came to care for each other. Oh course Nell thought him one of the most handsome gentleman she had ever seen.
Looking forward to reading the next stop in this series and know it will be a fabulous as this debut to the series!!
I couldn’t wait to read about the explosive ending of the previous series – plain Eleanor Applegate “Nell” elopes with her best friends intended, handsome and upcoming politician Nathaniel Atlas. So mismatched – but maybe not! This was not a love match, but a way to leave the house party without anyone realizing their true motives. Nathanial is gorgeous and an unimagined catch for the unfashionable bluestocking Nell. Nell’s intention was to save her friend Glory from marrying a man with dangerous secrets, possibly capable of murder. But Nell isn’t aware that Nathaniel is just as curious about her and the enigmatic Silver Leaf Society. He has secretly been trailing them for years. So they go off the his childhood home, the home he hasn’t seen in years. Can they both uncover the mystery of his parents’ death and Nell’s aunt’s involvement in this story of mystery, spies and smuggling. Great look into the next great series!
Oh, I love historical romantic suspense books when the author uses her talent as a writer to give us two such wonderful individuals! I liked how Eleanor (Nell) was an intelligent woman who was not shy about seeing an advantage to further her position in life and taking hold of it but at the same time she never came across as bold and brash while doing so. And Nathaniel was wonderful in that he never considered Nell as someone to be sheltered and condescended to but was open and honest even when it might have been more to his advantage to use his ability as an accomplished orator and political charm with her. Ms. Devlin did a wonderful job in also portraying the awkwardness of the beginning to a marriage that was not entered into out of passionate love but rather as a matter of circumstance and propriety, yet they are able to build on that beginning to achieve a deep, abiding, and passionate love for each other.
I am definitely going to be reading more books by this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a convoluted plot that did not come to an easy conclusion till the end, and even then it was unexpected. Eleanor and Nathaniel have all the reasons not to trust one another or even make a solid relationship out of their interactions. A good read.
Unmasking the Silver Heiress is the first in Ava Devlin’s new series, The Silver Leaf Seductions. I want to read the next book. Nell/Eleanor Applegate and Nathaniel Atlas’ story of suspense, drama, danger, a secret society, spies, smugglers, murder, intrigue, family, and steamy romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by Ava Devlin that I have read, and I’m now hooked! Unmasking the Silver Heiress left me yearning for more before it even ended. Between quiet unassuming Nell and the devilishly handsome Nathaniel who both find themselves married suddenly, with secrets, spies, mystery, steam, and romance. One simply can not put this book down and be a responsible adult.
I am highly anticipating more in this series and will be on the look out for others by Ava.
Another beautiful story by Ava Devlin!
What an amazing start to a new series by Ava Devlin! As with her previous books, she knocks it out of the park again! This book has it all: lovable well-developed characters, steamy romance, a mysterious plot, witty character exchanges, and some incredibly sweet moments between our H & h
Ava Devlin’s writing is beautiful! She has such a talent for making her readers feel as if they are in the story, experiencing the journey along with the characters. We meet our H & h, Nathaniel & Eleanor (Nell), in the previous series. I am thrilled they got their own book! Nell is a bluestocking whose beauty is hidden (external & internal). She doesn’t realize just how beautiful she really is & I loved watching this humble, innocent, yet strong character blossom throughout the story. Some of that transformation is attributed to our hero, Nathaniel.
Nell has adored Nathaniel from afar for quite sometime. After a quick marriage, Nathaniel soon recognizes what a beautiful person Nell is – both inside and out. Throughout the book he gives her the love & confidence needed for her to continue to bloom. Nathaniel is so proud of Nell!
Nell helps Nathaniel as well. Nathaniel has taken great care to ensure his life has been carefully planned to get to this moment. He has a heart-breaking & unresolved past and he wants answers. He was not, however, planning to marry Nell. However, Nell is exactly what he needs. She is loving, supportive & a true partner during this mysterious journey. Nell also helps to fill a part of his soul that I’m not sure Nathaniel even knew was missing.
This is a beautiful romance and I found myself rereading many parts for all “the feels”!! And the twist at the end? Whoa! I’m so excited to see where Ava Devlin takes us in the next book! Again, this is another amazing story by this author! Bravo!
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Such an exciting story, full of adventure, intrigue and passion. I loved the characters Nell and Nate. They fit well together. Nell, a bluestocking duckling who grew up to believe she was a dowdy plain looking girl on her way to becoming a spinster. She was also her Aunts heiress to the secret society club her Aunt headed up. Nell was partnered with Nate who joined the club for his own secret motives. He was hoping to find information that might lead to the death of his family. The resulting marriage of convenience and the exciting path they were led on not only answered Nates questions but he found in Nell a love he never thought he could imagine. The duckling turned into a lovely swan and found the love she once only dreamed. Wonderful story and wonderfully written.
Another tantalizing book by Ava Devlin! Although this is a first book in her new series, Unmasking the Silver Heiress continues the tale of two previous characters from her Somerton Series, Nate and Nell. In the Silver Leaf Seductions series we leave our well-loved characters in Somerton and enter a world of mysterious societies and intrigue. I really enjoyed getting better acquainted with Nell and Nate. Ava has a great talent for writing interesting and diverse characters and these two do not disappoint. This is not your typical romance. Nell is a mousy bookish bluestocking and Nate is the most handsome guy in the room with great hair and “chameleon hazel, changeable eyes”. But there is more to him than just looks…
This book is an adventure I encourage everyone to take!
I received a free copy through the author’s ARC team and am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Ava has combined the mystery of Mystery, spying and love. When Nell and Nate met trying to follow instructions to find the Silver Leaf leader; having to get married to protect Nell’s reputation. All through the mystery they had actually fallen in love. Nate couldn’t figure out what was happening at his family estate but was finally given the answers he needed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved every single minute of this book. This is the beginning of a new series, The Silver Leaf Seductions, which is an extension of The Somerton Scandal series by Ava Devlin and it includes some your favorites from the past books/stories. (If you haven’t read that series…DO SO…you are definitely missing out!) But you don’t need to read that series to enjoy this book. This one takes you in an entirely new direction.
This book has it all…steam, romance, suspense and intrigue! I could not put this book down! I cannot wait to see what happens next—and there are so many possibilities!
I loved the letters which start and end the book! I think that may be my favorite part!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review!
Her Advice Be Brave Be Bold.
Oh, what tangled web the author has weaved it was brilliant. The author has given us a tale with secrets who are these two people? We have spies and smugglers with-in the pages and I must say this was a page-turner. There were times it was an intense drama and other times when it was a charming love story. Nathaniel and Nell were outstanding characters. The book starts with a letter and ends with one too. What happens between those messages made for an engaging and amazing tale. I highly recommend this beauty. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Nell hadn’t planned to run off with her best friend’s intended, but when things got messy during her investigation, that is exactly what happened. Of course, both being of polite society, they were forced to marry. Having been fascinated with Nate for some time, she welcomes the marriage. But why is Nate interested in the Silver Leaf Society that she is a member of? What other secrets is he hiding?
While Nell is not the woman he had planned to marry, he is increasingly intrigued with her the more time they spend together. There is definitely more to her than he ever imagined including her involvement with spies and smugglers. But secrets Nate has kept for years are brought to the surface when they are forced to travel to his childhood home. But could revealing these secrets give him the information to learn what really happened?
I absolutely adored Nell and Nate’s story!! We met both of them in Devlin’s The Scoundrel and the Socialite and to be honest, I didn’t really know what to think of Nate. Some of his actions were a bit sketchy…but we learn in this story why he did the things that he did. I really enjoyed watching these two come to know one another and see the person that each of them were under the facade they showed the rest of the world. I’m very excited to read the next book in the series and can’t wait for it to come out!
A surprisin tale that will kept reading until the end…
I enjoyed this story with surprising twists and an unexpected end…
A story for all that love strong heroine and heroes…
A mystery to solve for all…
I’m lokking forward to read the next story…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a intriguing story with Eleanor/Nell and Nathaniel/Nate who meet when they are both investigating different mysteries. There are all sorts of twists and turns in this story along with just the right amount of romance. Lovely story that is well written and great characters that will keep you on the seat of your pants.
Very well written and so enjoyable. They both are not what they seem when the walls are torn down on their personalities. And then comes their adventure with suspense, intrigue, danger, emotional situations and much more. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. No spoilers with this one. I recommend it. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
This story opens up with a letter from the heroine, Eleanor Applegate, “Nell”, telling how she has run away with the hero of the story, Nathaniel Atlas, “Nathan”, to retrieve some letters. The trip turned out to be a wild goose chase but in order to save their reputations, Nathan and Nell had to get married. From the first line of the story you are hooked. You know there is something foul going on and the story hints at the revelation. In the midst of this there is a sweet love story between Nell and Nathan that develops. This is truly one of those books you just can’t put down. I would definitely recommend it. It is not your typical romance book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.