***I received this arc courtesy of Netgallery in exchange for an honest review***

I really enjoyed this and it was very well written for a debut author. As good as it was it was really slow, it dragged a lot. Ian was investigating Riverton and we weren't given a reason until the very end. We spent the entire book with him running around and warning Suzanne away from Riverton for no reason at all. I think it would have worked better if we knew the reason he was so interested in him except for the barest information he gave to us.

This books also mentions Claire and Andrew's courtship a lot, I believe that was the first time Ian was introduced but as there is no previous book I don't understand why that detail was added. I hope they have their own book because Suzanne had alluded they had no ordinary courtship, I would love to read about it.

It was a nice book, the mystery was interesting at the end even though I was almost bored by the time it was revealed. Apart from that, great writing from the author, I can't wait to read more of her work.

Publisher's Description:

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister's marriage prospects are rather lacking. To avoid a life of spinsterhood, she decides a loveless marriage to the dull and unromantic Lord Riverton is better than none at all. But still, Susanna longs for true, passionate love, the kind she grew up hearing stories about.

Enjoying a quiet walk with her insipid suitor one afternoon, Susanna is nearly trampled by the handsome Earl of Westcott as he rides through Hyde Park. Driven by his own guilt and despair, the earl embraces this chance encounter as an opportunity for vengeance, for Lord Riverton is the very man whom Wescott suspects is responsible for the untimely death of his beloved sister. But is his mission of separating Susanna from Lord Riverton simply a desire to save another unsuspecting lady from his sister's fate, or something deeper?

As Susanna helps Lord Westcott investigate her future fiance, she realizes she might have found what she was looking for all along. Can the pair keep their budding romance a secret from everyone around them until the investigation is over? Or will the unsuspecting Lord Riverton win Susanna's hand in marriage before the truth comes out?

A thrilling romance story fueled by secrecy, A Suitable Affair will leave readers breathless and guessing at every turn of events.

My Thoughts:
I knew I had never heard of this author before, and found there was a good reason. This is her début novel and it's an exceptional start.
If you like your regency romance woven with mystery, then you are going to love this book.
Lord Westcott is desperately seeking the man who murdered his younger sister. Unfortunately for Lady Susanna Macalister the prime suspect is the man who is courting her.
Ian is also very attracted to Susanna, but at first refuses to act on his feelings. Finding and bringing the killer he is seeking to justice is currently the most important thing in his life.
Can Lord Ian and Susanna keep their mutual attraction a secret long enough to catch a serial killer?
This wonderfully romantic, sometimes humorous regency with more than a touch of mystery and intrigue is one you will not want to put down.
I was so very surprised to find that this book is this author's first published novel and look forward to more.
I almost didn't request it because the cover art wasn't the best, but I am pleased that I did.
The characters and storyline are well drawn out with sensual and sexy scenes and dialog between our hero and heroine.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have voluntarily read and reviewed.

A superb buy buy buy buy buy booK! I would of went four should of went four because it needed an ending that was deserving of the absolute superb writing! However, I could not bring myself to take off even a half of a star much less one whole one! This is not my normal author from reading prior to this, however, after this read she will be on my list of authors to watch for! What a wonderful book, the characters, the plot, the way it is written! I must say it was magical for me to be lost within its pages! So buy and enjoy! It is definitely worth your time. I was given this book in return for a honest review via NetGalley. Regards, Anna

I absolutely loved Ian and Susanna's story. They had such wonderful chemistry that slowly gets better and better as the story progresses. There is a natural progression in their relationship that's so easy going and steady, never feeling forced. They don't have any expectations for each other and I think that's what makes their relationship such an easy one. They both come to realize that they were initially wrong about each other. As they get to know each other and they're relationship grows, they adapt to the situation and don't really try to fight it. They both want to do whatever it takes to be with each other. While the story is filled with romance and sexual tension, there is also the perfect amount of mystery that really gives the story substance. I thought I had the mystery figured out but I was still surprised by the ending. A breathtaking romance filled with suspense-definitely a must read!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

September 1813 and Lady Susanna Macalister has found that her family offer a barrier to potential suitors and although content in her choice of Viscount Riverton she knows this is not the 'grand passion'. Then she meets Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, a man with a dark past.
With its likable characters, a well-written easy style and a decent mystery to go with the romance it made for an enjoyable read.

London - 1813

Lady Susanna Macalister is walking with Viscount Riverton when an out of control horse just misses trampling her. The horse is being ridden by Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott. Riverton acts more angry at having seen Westcott more than being angry at the possible injury to Susanna. At one time, he had been affianced to Westcott’s sister, Lady Elizabeth, before her untimely death. So upset is he that he abandons Susanna and her sister-in-law, Clara, to go home. Susanna is surprised at his reaction as he is now the man from whom she expecting a proposal.

Susanna’s brother, Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone, is not convinced that Riverton is the man for his sister and Andrew and Clara want her to find someone who truly loves her.

Ian has just returned to London. He and his cousin, Bexley, have been invited to a house party hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Bradstone. Although Ian does not wish to attend, he knows he must as he feels the need to warn Susanna about the true character of Riverton.

As Ian and Susanna meet at the party and begin to see more of one another, they form a good friendship which threatens to spark into more. Ian then confesses his work with the Hone Office and what all he’s involved in, including Riverton.

Susanna is a very strong young woman who has stepped up and secretly opened an orphanage for young boys. It is very successful and she is proud of her work.

Ian’s parents are in ill health and he continues to mourn his sister’s death. His government work is geared toward helping to find her killer.

Susanna is a very strong character and Ian is a man fighting many devils. Together, they make a good team. I found Susanna’s maturity to be exceptional and would like to see her in more books. I understand this is a debut novel for the author and I commend her highly for the great romance and mystery she has written.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Intriguing story of suspense and mystery! Loved how the author wove the elements of murder and mayhem along with a side of romance. Had me guessing who was the guilty party up to almost the very end.

"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

At 13% into this story, I've found it just like Susana's fiancé: not dramatic, not exciting, plain and dull. And boring.
I don't know if this book is the author's first book, but certainly, it was the first and last book from her that I will ever read.
The story is too slow at first and then feels rushed and the ending was so abrupt and lacking. And repetitive. She's so aware of social rules she kept breaking and bending to her benefit.
Not my usual kind of reading, perhaps I was expecting something more deeper and complex. A light reading while I wait for the third book of The Falconer trilogy, but definitely not a book I would recommend.
Something that keep bothering me throughout the book was that they never got right the name of the horse: D'artagnan, D'artagnon, d'Artangnon... if you EVER read The Three Musketeers, then you should KNOW that the name is d'Artagnan.

I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Lady Susanna meets Ian Carlisle, Lord Westcott, when his horse almost tramples her in the park. Susanna is with the man who is actively courting her, Lord Riverton.

From the beginning, there is animosity between Westcott and Riverton. The latter was betrothed to Westcott's sister at the time she was kidnapped and brutally murdered. Weston has always felt that Riverton was to blame, as well as himself for not being around to protect her.

Susannah begins to have feelings for Westcott when he enlists her help to solve his sister's murder. Their collaboration turns to a romance, which they try to keep hidden in order to trap Riverton into revealing what he knows.

This book was an interesting story, with the obligatory love scenes and the spirited heroine trying to show that she is not another marriage-minded lady out to catch a husband. The two must solve the mystery of Lord Westcott's sister's death as well as those of other young women in similar circumstances. The end of the book has an interesting twist but it was tied up too neatly and quickly. Why do villains feel the need to confess before trying to kill their victims? I have always thought that was the lazy way to solve a mystery.

Another irritation (which kept this book from getting more stars) is that the peripheral characters are referenced as having back stories, which made me think that I was reading part of an existing series. I was surprised that "A Suitable Affair" is the first book of the series, with others to follow in the next year or so. Clara and Andrew's story is the prequel, which is yet to be written, and which I probably won't read because the outcome is spoiled by the setting in "A Suitable Affair",

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister’s marriage prospects are rather lacking. To avoid a life of spinsterhood, she decides a loveless marriage to the dull and unromantic Lord Riverton is better than none at all. But still, Susanna longs for true, passionate love, the kind she grew up hearing stories about.

Enjoying a quiet walk with her insipid suitor one afternoon, Susanna is nearly trampled by the handsome Earl of Westcott as he rides through Hyde Park. Driven by his own guilt and despair, the earl embraces this chance encounter as an opportunity for vengeance, for Lord Riverton is the very man whom Wescott suspects is responsible for the untimely death of his beloved sister. But is his mission of separating Susanna from Lord Riverton simply a desire to save another unsuspecting lady from his sister’s fate, or something deeper?

As Susanna helps Lord Westcott investigate her future fiancé she realizes she might have found what she was looking for all along. Can the pair keep their budding romance a secret from everyone around them until the investigation is over? Or will the unsuspecting Lord Riverton win Susanna’s hand in marriage before the truth comes out?

Susanna “runs into” Lord Ian Wescott in an unconventional manner and is a bit infuriated at the man. When he approaches her to let her know that her fiancé is not a man she should be spending time with she pretty much blows him off as she thinks he just doesn’t like Lord Riverton. You see, Lord Riverton had been Ian’s sister’s fiancé at the time of her kidnapping and murder and then refused to pay the ransom. Not only that but then demanded her dowry for breach of contract when she was killed. (I could see why he would have concerns about the man’s character.)

While Ian’s and Susanna’s friendship grows so do their feelings for each other. They say they’re just friends but each knows how the other feels about them and keeps it to themselves. Ian works for the Home Office and does investigations – not that anyone knows that. Because of that he knows that he can never settle down. He’s on the go constantly and he can’t be a family man when he’s gone all the time.

When Susanna and Ian are falling in love, Ian is investigating Riverton. He knows that Riverton is involved in not only his sisters kidnapping and murder but the kidnapping and murders of at least 6 other women – he just has to prove it. Susanna agrees to be bait for Ian’s investigation but when it comes down to it he may not be able to save her.

What a great story. I loved that Ian and Susanna were friends before they became lovers. Their friendship and banter made me smile more than a time or two. I loved reading about them and their antics together. I think the thing I loved about it was on the outside everything was above board and I could very much believe that it all was happening. Well done on Taylor’s part.

The suspense part of the story was a good one as well. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the way it all went down in the end as it seemed a bit abrupt – as was the general ending of the book. Those two issues were the only reason this got 4 stars instead of 5.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the story of Susanna’s brother – the cold duke.

Rating: 4 out of 5

This will post as a guest review on Book Binge.
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“Our choices in life do not define us… It is what we learn from our choices … that define who we are”. Ms Taylor had me spellbound by her ability to instil depth and complexity in her characters, aptly explained through this comment by Lady Susanna Macalister.
The sister of a duke, Susanna finds herself on the verge of a proposal by Lord Riverton. However, she is nearly trampled by Ian, the Earl of Westcott, on his ride through the park. It becomes quickly apparent that there are ill feelings between Riverton and Ian, with Ian warning Susanna to avoid any interaction with Riverton, if she values her life. Despite the usual nature of their meeting, Ian and Susanna are attracted to each other and find themselves constantly seeking the other whenever they chance to meet.
What was particularly fascinating about this story was the ease with which Susanna and Ian interact. The feelings that they develop for each other were plausible and well established and this was supported by the clever dialogue between the two.
Half way through this story, I found myself researching whether the author had written previous novels as the secondary characters were so well developed and integral to the storyline. I certainly hope that Clara and Andrew’s story appears in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this “A suitable affair” and look forward to reading more from Erica Taylor.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
Despite being beautiful and wealthy & sister to Andrew the Duke of Bradstone, Lady Susanna Macalisters marriage prospects are rather lacking probably because of her protective brothers especially the Stone Duke. Unwilling to let an opportunity pass her by, she decides a loveless marriage is better than spinsterhood, as it will allow her to continue her charities. The life of Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, has been overshadowed by darkness and guilt for the past decade. Having abandoned his family when he was eighteen, Ian’s position within a secret division of the government has provided him an escape from the guilt he feels over the death of his sister Beth. When the Earl's horse almost tramples Susanna in the middle of Hyde Park, Ian embraces the chance encounter as a possibility for redemption, for Susannas soon-to-be fiancé, Viscount Riverton is the man Ian holds responsible for the death of his sister.
Riveting first book I found it so hard to put down & read until well into the night to finish it. The characters are so well developed, Ian & Susanna are very likeable. Susanna is not a simpering miss & her true strength of character is revealed throughout the book. Ian is troubled & riddled with guilt, however his problem solving genius gets him to the solution in the end. The minor characters are also well portrayed. I was intrigued by Andrew & Clara & would have loved to have a book about their story. Norah is also ‘up to something’ which I look forward to finding out exactly what she is up to. The plot is fast paced, I love a book that has intrigue, mystery & romance & this story certainly delivered all three. The attraction between Ian & Susanna is so hot & they deserved their HEA, their verbal sparring is so well written & so very entertaining.
My only quibble is that the ending seemed rushed & after such a good story I would have liked a better ending. That said I would highly recommend the book & I look forward to more in the series & from the author

First of all, I need to point out that the fact I took ages to read this had a lot more to do with me than the story. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed the book when I managed to get into it.
A Suitable Affair is what I believe is considered historic fiction, set in London during a long gone.
It follows a very unusual heroine, particularly for the genre. I really like how daring, conniving and quick-witted she is. I also love that she is not afraid to do what she feels she must.
Her love interest is also a quick-witted man with that kind of pained darkness female readers love. Together, they star in all kinds of fun scenes to read and engage in the most charming dialogue. This is what I love the most.
The novel also features a crime/mystery plot, which I personally think was well-done, though I thought the conclusion was rushed. It's one of my very few complaints.

An enjoyable regency romp!! Full of fun, mischief and intrigue, this is a rather modern telling of a regency tale. Although the descriptions of London were clearly well thought through and confident, there were a number of American English phrases which jarred and didn't quite fit with the style of the novel. Other than that, I liked the characters and the twists and turns! It's been a while since I read a Regency/ historical book and it reminded me how much I liked this genre...

Good solid romance. Not anything I would write home about. However, sometimes you have to be in the mood to read about the Ton and their shallow ways. I just wasn't in the right frame of mind. If you are looking for a good book to read that won't tax your brain cells too much, I would definitely recommend this one.

This historical romance had a lot of intrigue and a gorgeous couple at its heart.

Lady Susanna expects a marriage proposal from Lord Riverton at any moment. When the earl of Westcott comes charging into her life unexpectedly, things change and danger lurks around every corner.

To be perfectly honest, I did not enjoy this book. I found Susanna's character to nothing short of irritating. She claims she bends the rules of society to do as she please, but on every occasion she insists on strictly following the rules. The earl is not as annoying, but no one I found to be especially memorable.

When did romance mean two characters argue over EVERYTHING and with little provocation, and then at the first occasion that presents itself they jump into bed together? That is another point that I disliked about the book: the sex scenes, or the intimate kissing scenes that was one step away from sex.

This is definitely not a book for those who enjoy a clean read.

Susanna Macalister is being courted by Lord Rivington and, suitors being few and far between, she imagines she will accept his proposal when he finally makes one. That is, until the Earl of Westcott rides into her life. That’s when things begin to get complicated in this highly entertaining romantic mystery. Susanna and Westcott are wonderfully complex characters and the chemistry between them is believable. Rivington is very much the enigma he is supposed to be. Was he involved in the murder of his fiancée, Westcott’s sister, as the Earl believes? Is he involved in any of the similar murders? Discerning readers may pick up come clues to the mystery along the way. There are two major backstories that are alluded to significantly throughout "A Suitable Affair." The most significant one involves the marriage of Susanna’s brother, Andrew, Duke of Bradstone, and his wife Clara. The other concerns Susanna’s sister Norah, whose friendship with another character is apparently a puzzle to everyone. Readers will have to wait for the “prequel” to be published for at least some of the answers.

A Suitable Affair is a book that really captures your interest immediately. Lady Susanna Macalister is out for a walk with a gentleman, Lord Riverton, who she is courting and hoping to marry. She does not love Riverton and finds him to be quite boring but it is her desire to marry and have a family. They are almost trampled when a speeding horse comes through the park. The rider of that horse is the very handsome Earl of Westcott, Ian. It is obvious that there is no love between Riverton and Ian. When Ian warns Susanna to be careful of Riverton she is intrigued. He does not tell her why she is to be wary of Riverton just that she should be. She understands that it is of a legal nature and she agrees to help Ian investigate Riverton. As they investigate him, sparks fly between Ian and Susanna. Ian begins to realize Susanna is much more than the typical Lady of the ton. Susanna begins to realize that there is so much more to marriage than just to settle for a loveless one. Ian begins to open up feelings in Susanna that she thought were impossible.

Ian is dealing with his own demons. He has parents who are suffering with dementia and he is still trying to come to terms with the murder of his younger sister. He works for Home Office and does not feel he is capable of having a family and the love of a woman. As he begins to fall in love with Susanna, he realizes he has put her in danger by asking her to help investigate Riverton, but by arresting Riverton, it may close chapters in his life that may allow him to move on. Susanna works to help Ian realize that he can have what he desires if he will just try.

What I liked about A Suitable Affair was the characters and the setting. I enjoyed Susanna and Ian but I also enjoyed Susanna's family and Ian's family. The book is filled with romance, suspense and adventure. I was shocked to see this was Erica Taylor's first novel because it was so well written. I am anxious for book two so we can continue the Macalister adventure.