So Larkin was doing quite well. She has come really far as an author since her first in this series, which was...different in good ways and bad.

I feel like she didn't try with this one. We have a young Duke who may or may not be what he appears. His love interest, Georgiana, knows exactly who he is because of her fairy gift and helps him discover new things about himself.

Much like Larkin's previous works, the plot is literally driven by driving around. They must travel to different places and learn about each other along the way. There's not much in way of conflict so it gives the novel a meandering where-are-we-going-with-this? feel.

Also, if you are a historical romance type of person, you are already aware of the bedroom tropes. You know the ones: the Regency era virgin is completely innocent and inexperienced but the moment she sees that manly package, she becomes a sex goddess who climaxes at the drop of a hat, all inhibitions and modesty tossed out the window like so many silk stockings? If you ever need to show someone an example of this, use this book. Larkin finally wrote a sex scene where the woman couldn't be substituted with a sawhorse and she went mega-basic with it.

If you got this far in the series, stop with the previous one. I think that's as good as it's going to get.

The storyline was great, but wish I had read the previous ones in the series first. I will go back and read them and then follow with this one again. The story and plot were good though,

4.5 Stars

Georgiana "Georgie" Dalrymple has a very unique family history. The females in her family line are able to select a special power or ability they'd like to have, and on their twenty-third birthday, their wish will be granted. This is due to a fairy godmother (yes, really) being in debt to one of her ancestors. When Georgie was eighteen, she fell in love with Hubert, and they became engaged. Before they could marry, Hubert disappeared and was never seen again. Five years later, when Georgie was able to choose her gift, she chose the ability to find things. Unfortunately, she learned that Hubert was dead, and all she found was his grave. In the year since she learned of Hubert's death, she has been spending time with lifelong friend, Alexander "Vic" St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery, and slowly falling in love again.

Vic has loved Georgie for years, and his heart broke when she became engaged to his best friend, Hubert. Still, he hid his feelings, and wished them well, never wishing for any harm to come to Hubert. In the past year, Vic and Georgie have gone riding almost every day, and have become very close. Vic feels that Georgie is healing, and plans to ask her to marry him. All his plans go by the wayside when he reads his deceased father's journals, and his father questions whether Vic is truly his biological son.

There was a tragic incident from Vic's distant past. When he was a very young child, the maids who were watching him let their attention lapse, and Vic disappeared. It was believed he was kidnapped. His father, up to that point, had actually spent very little time with him, and was only aware of his most unique feature - mismatched eyes, one blue, and one green. When the previous duke tracks down a child who was forced to work as a chimney sweep, and has those same odd eyes, he's convinced he's found his son and heir. Yet, as Vic grows up, he bears no other resemblance to either parent or their family, so the duke has a niggling doubt.

Vic doesn't feel he can offer for Georgie until he knows the truth about his past. He asks her to confide in him how she was able to find Hubert, and Georgie decides to share her ability. They then begin a journey of discovering Vic's past and who he really is. Though Georgie is the gifted one, this book is truly Vic's story. Each person they encounter who was part of Vic's long ago life puts in place a missing piece of the puzzle. What will happen if Vic is truly not the duke's son? How can he even consider marriage to Georgie?

The romance, while heartfelt, takes a back seat to Vic's fear and confusion. He was raised to be such an honorable man, yet he doesn't seem to be able to see his own worth anymore. I love how Georgie supported him, and was patient with him, while he dealt with the shocking events of his past. DISCOVERING MISS DALRYMPLE provided a happy ever after that was very satisfying, though with some surprising revelations. I am really enjoying Emily Larkin's BALEFUL GODMOTHER series, with her memorable and unique characters, the magic, and most of all, the romance. Recommended.

I love this series! This is book six. I thought it was a wonderful story idea. I loved all the ups and downs in the story. A steamy romance. We also get a factual account by the author about some items in the book- one being fossils and where they are found. Very neat. Must read series! What are you waiting for? This book reads well as a stand alone book but you really should read them all.

This was a fantastic quick read. I've enjoyed this series but I felt this book takes more of a turn and the main story is not on Georgiana but more on Alexander. Wonderful sweet heart wrenching story.

What a sweet sad story with a happy ending. A duke finds his father's secrets and questions who he really is. A viscount's daughter with secrets that must be kept. They are on the verge of an engagement when secrets start to come out. Will they be able to over come them?

Well written plot line. Loveable characters.

This was an endearing story. Alexander was such an honourable man and Georgiana was so kind and considerate, not to mention the wisdom of her father, Viscount Dalrymple. I liked the fact that they talked to each other about their secrets before it developed into a major problem. This story left me with a warm feeling. An excellent read. This is the first I’ve read in the series but it won’t be the last. I received a copy from Netgalley and have voluntarily reviewed it. However I have purchased a copy as well.

I don't read witchcraft, deguised occult. I won't. Recommend this book. I like the Author, however, I am extremely disappointed!

It's 1814 and Georgiana Dalrymple has received her gift, the gift of finding places, objects or people. But close friend of the family is suspicious of his birth, is he really Alexander St. Clare, 7th Duke of Vickery. What he finds out leads him and Georgiana on a trip of discovery.
This next in the series is a very enjoyable story, likeable characters, well-written, and easy to read. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone story.

I've read a couple of the other books in the Baleful Godmother series from Emily larkin and have really enjoyed them. This book is an enjoyable shorter story in the series. In the series, the women in this family line get a wish from a fairy godmother when they turn 23. We had already met Georgiana in the last book where she had made the wish to be able to find things. This means she can think of a question of where something or someone is and she'll be able to see the answer. Lord Vickery is a childhood friend who suddenly discovers that he may not be who he had thought he was. The story becomes a journey of trying to figure out his past with the help of Georgie. It is a light and quick read, and while not as action packed as Emily's other books, it still very enjoyable. The relationship between Georgie and Alex is very sweet and innocent.

This short story/novella lacks the emotional intensity, I have felt in her other books. It was predominantly about finding the hero's true identity, less about the romance between the main characters.

Alexander St Clare who is now the Duke of Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep, at the age of four. Despite being separated from his family for a year, he has no memory of his absence except a fear of the dark. He is also madly in love with Georgiana Dalrymple, and hopes that they will soon marry. However, he discovers his father’s diaries and begins to wonder whether he is rather Alexander St Clare. He seeks Georgiana’s help as she has been granted the gift of ‘finding things’ (which links nicely to Book 5 in this series). The secrets that she uncovers bring about a chain of events that will change the lives of many people.
I have loved many books in this series but what made this book quite different, was that Georgiana also loved Alexander from the beginning of the story. I wondered how this would work given but in it is their strong feelings for each other that ensures that the novel does not become ‘ordinary’. Sorrow permeates the book but the relationship between Georgiana, her father Lord Dalrymple and Alexander, help to bring almost a reassuring glow to the story. These characters help to uplift the story when at times, it felt that all was lost for Alexander.
This is a sweet romance but in no ways simplistic. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions but left feeling rewarded for the experience.

Oh my gosh!!! I am absolutely in love with this book!

Alexander St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery has been in love with Georgiana Dalrymple for the last six years. Unfortunately, that was at the same time she was betrothed to his best friend. When Hubert went missing for so many years everyone’s life ceased to move forward until miraculously Georgiana had a dream that showed where Hubert was buried. It has now been over a year and Vic hungers to proclaim his feelings toward Georgie but uncertainty holds him back.

Now that he’s got himself in hand and is ready to step forward, he is hit with a tumultuous dilemma. Turning to Georgie for help, he learns she has a special gift. Unbelievably, that gift has brought him the greatest pain and confusion of his life. Together, they set out on a journey to uncover what further secrets have been hidden and the truth behind Alexander St. Clare.

First and foremost, I cannot say how much I absolutely loved Vic! His point of view is beautiful, strong, heartfelt, and so darn angsty I felt absolutely shattered by it at times. His character is made up of all the little imperfections that makes a person real. His struggles are true and his transformation from uncertainty to determined, confused to broken to shredded and then stronger than before was a beautiful thing to read.

Georgiana was the perfect heroine to Vic’s hero. She was determined to give him the truth despite what the result might be. She trusted him and trusted their relationship enough to know that anything else would only tarnish what she hoped they would one day have together. Her ability to hold strong for Vic while his world crumbled around him made me love her all the more. The fact that she wouldn’t take “No” from him or allow him to turn away from what she was offering proved her strength.

This author has the ability to shake me up, toss me out, scoop me up and bring me back together again all within a few well-chosen words. Her writing talent is extraordinary. I can’t describe it except to say I have never read another style like it. And I love it!

Please, please, please check this one out if you like some angst with your historical romance as well as a broken hero that you just want to wrap your arms around. It’s a beautiful story!

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley, Emily Larkin and Red Adept Publishing

Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers

Hooray for another Baleful Godmothers book. Georgiana has already received her gift, and used it several times when this book starts. What she hasn’t done is to admit to the man she loves that she is the inheritor of a gift of magic that has been passed down in her mother’s family for centuries. When Alexander asks for her help, though, in discovering the truth about his parents, Georgiana must either tell him her secret, or choose to live a lie.

I hope Emily Larkin keeps writing these charming fairy tales for a long time.

Publisher's Description:

Who is he?

At the age of four Lord Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret—everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.

But when Vickery finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past…

Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself—and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.

When Vickery turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who Lord Vickery actually is…

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this well written long novella/short novel.

This story is more about Vic (The Duke of Vickery) than about Georgiana.

At the age of four the future Duke of Vickery was stolen from his home by gypsies or was he?

What really happened to that child and who is the child who was recovered?

This is the mystery that Georgiana will use her gift to help the man she loves solve.

Will the truth bring Vic and Georgiana closer or tear them apart?

I gave this well written short read 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.0 of 5.0 flames. The single intimate scene between our hero and heroine is rather heated.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the author via book funnel and NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Emily Larkin is pretty much a must-buy for me, so being able to review and advance copy is a treat. I have loved the entire Baleful Godmothers books and this novella is no exception -- with a few quibbles. The title, I thought, is misleading since the discovery really is about the hero, Alexander St. Clare, the Duke of Vickery. He is the one who must discover his past. Miss Dalrymple, the neighbor who he has loved, is there to provide support, love and a little bit of magic. Georgiana has the power to find lost things, and so she does, connecting Alexander with another side of himself. Like all of Ms. Larkin's books, the story is compelling, with characters you wish were your friends. Another winner, although the novella format necessarily is more compressed. Who wouldn't want to know more about the distance of the Duke's father early in his life, or about Georgiana's first love? A little more tension to get to the HEA would have been welcome, too, especially considering the obstacles the couple faced. Still, I enjoyed it and will re-read. (I received a NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review.

At the age of four Alexander St Clare now Duke of Vickery was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father. His history is no secret everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue. By accident Vickery finds his father’s diaries & he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past. Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets one of her secrets is her ability to find missing people. Vic has loved Georgie for years & at last seeks & gets her parents’ approval. She tells him the truth about herself & he turns to her for help, so Vic, Georgiana & her father sets out to discover just who Lord Vickery actually is.
I’m loving this series & found this book very hard to put down & read it in two sittings. The characterisation is very good. The plot very well paced & definitely a page turner. Although this is the sixth in the series it could be read as a stand alone book, however I’d recommend reading the series from the start to fully appreciate this engrossing series. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, Alex’s reaction to Lady Dalrymple’s gift had me laughing then I felt for both him & Lord Dalrymple when confronted by their fears and finally brass watch & coral necklace had me in tears. I look forward to more in this lovely series.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This differs from the other instalments in this series in that Georgiana, the heroine, is already established in her magical gift when the story opens. Her gift is that of finding out where things and people are (although the way this works in practice means she seems able to find out pretty much anything, provided she asks herself the right questions). She is also in love with a man who loves her back: her childhood friend and neighbour Alexander. So no surprises there either. The plot kicks off with Alexander (who was briefly lost and then recovered as a child) beginning to wonder if he truly is the lost heir, or whether he is not really a duke after all. Who will be able to tell him where the real duke is...?

The majority of the story is a road trip through Devon and Cornwall made by Alexander, Georgiana and Georgiana's father. I enjoyed this novel, although there isn't much by way of conflict and everyone they encounter in the West Country turns out to have a heart of gold. Gently entertaining and sweet.