This is one I would give 3.5 stars if I could. It is good for the genre - Christian fiction, though a little more on the preachy side than others of the genre I prefer. The "theme" for the book is putting your trust in God over trust in yourself - I did like how Griep chose to end the book following that theme.

It was standard Christian Romance and a fun little piece of escapism.

A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown

Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.


Once again Michelle Griep has a winner. You can not go wrong by picking up one of her books.

Michelle Griep is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is book two in a three book series. I loved it just as much as book one and I'm eagerly awaiting book three. If you enjoy English historical romances be sure to add this series to your list.

this book has a lot of elements I would normally like in a book, but I didn't realize it was clean/Christian fiction, and I think that might have led to me enjoying it less than others might. I actually like a little steam in my romance, and this, of course, didn't really have much. Which makes sense, but maybe just isn't for me!

Aside from that though, I also had trouble connecting with the main characters. It might just be because there was so much focus on the plot, the characters themselves were like cartoon versions of people -- they had certain qualities (mom with her "poor eye" and brother always getting into trouble) that they needed to have in order to make the plot work, so it didn't always feel realistic or natural, if that makes sense.

That said, the plot is pretty fun and kept me engaged. I loved the setting in Dover, England, in the early 1800s. On e of my favorite time periods for sure, and I felt like I was really there with all the little details the author included.

The characters were charming but I had a hard time staying interested in this book. I really wanted to love it but it just didn't hold my attention.

I tend to like Ms Griep’s novels (for example The Captive Heart is a fantastic read), yet this novel did not click with me. Firstly, it is seriously prolonged (it is supposed to be a spy novel, so I expected faster pace). Secondly, the historical setting as described does not work for me. In Regency England the society was based on class structure. Officer, gentleman and inn’s daughter is a seriously mismatched, practically impossible pairing. Physical attraction aside, the circumstances would be very difficult not just for the society to accept them, but also for the lifestyle adjustment. I believe that these very complex issues were not addressed as deeply as they should be, which added to my reading difficulties.
Also, Johanna definitely did not behave like a street smart lady, as the female without the male protection would behave in the man’s world (i.e. taking non-paying guests, letting her brother roam the streets instead of helping with the inn and entering difficult job positions that could compromise her reputation).

But I will continue to read Ms Griep’s works, as she can bring good plot ideas. Maybe the novels based on American soil could work better than more unknown (for an American author) British circumstances?

Johanna Langley has spunk and determination. She runs the family inn to provide for her mother and younger brother. Times are hard and money is too tight, but she is willing to do nearly anything to keep a roof over her family members' heads. Alexander Moore is dashing and edgy. Why wouldn't he and Johanna get together? Michelle Griep has created an exciting combination of difficulties and dangers to keep them apart. This is a fun read.

Quite honestly not one of my favorite reads, but I did complete it, hoping that my opinion would change (it didn't, I'm sorry.

While historically accurate in so many ways, the characters were very difficult to connect with, making connecting with the story equally as difficult. The entire puppet storyline was so completely confusing (and a bit crazy) and took away from the story line.

Griep has another book that I have enjoyed, and I will continue reading her writing since overall she is a fabulous writer, but this story and characters just didn't quite fit for me.

This was an interesting genre - historical fiction, thriller, romance. I love all three genres but rarely have read all three together. It was a sort of slow start for me but then picked up and I really enjoyed it. The last 20% of the book or so I couldn't put down because I wanted to find out what happened. I was a little nervous about reading this book because it was second in the series and I hadn't read the first but I was able to follow along no problem and based on a little research (reading Goodreads review of the first book), I think they only referenced the first book slightly and to no detriment of the plot of the second book. Now I want to read the other books in the series! *I was gifted a copy of this book from NetGalley but the opinions are my own.

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep is the second book in The Bow Street Runners series and my favorite so far. Set a few years after the events of Brentwood’s Ward, this book follows runner Alexander Moore as he travels deep undercover to find a traitor to the crown and Johanna Langley a young woman trying to keep her family from being sent to the workhouse. Their story tore at my heart and kept me intrigued long after it finished.

Johanna is a tough one. She’s fiesty, determined, and bull headed. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and she will do whatever it takes to keep her family’s inn. Johanna can come off as cold at times, especially with her temper towards her brother. Underneath her callousness is a heart that cares too much. When a man who spells trouble comes to stay at the inn, paying in full ahead of time, she’s leery and thankful all at the same time. His money is welcome, how he came by that money though leaves her wondering.

Alex was first introduced in Brentwood’s Ward, and I liked him instantly. He’s loyal to a fault, but growing weary of his runner days. Although he’s ready to retire, a wife though isn’t in the picture. He’s not ready for that. When Ford (the magistrate) give him his assignment, he is excited for the challenge, though he would never admit that. However the young innkeeper’s daughter is not what he expected. Love never factored into his assignment, and blowing his cover isn’t an option.

The plot revolves really around two things: first the budding relationship between Alex and Johanna and second around the case Alex is working. The relationship is akin to insta-love, at least on Alex’s part. Johanna is leery of him as she doesn’t fully trust his reasoning for being at her inn. Though his interactions with Thomas (her brother) endear him to her. The case though is what really makes the pages fly by. There are so many twists and turns it left me guessing right to the end.

Overall The Innkeeper’s Daughter is a sweet, almost heart-aching read filled with mystery and intertwined with past. The historical elements of the novel are subtle but enough to allow the reader to be fully immersed in it. As this is touted as a Christian romance, I’d be remiss to not mention that. God is a central part of both characters and redemption, relying on Him are the big themes. If you enjoy sweet romance with a historical component, I highly recommend this one. While it is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone with minimal spoiling of the first book.

3.5 stars
This one wasn’t my favorite of Griep’s works. It was hard to get through some parts and also some of the visceral descriptions of violence, while brief, were still enough to turn my stomach. There were a few hiccups in pacing that made it easy to lay the book aside more than once before the halfway point, but once I got past the halfway point the suspense ramped up steadily, so while it took me weeks to get there, the second half went very quickly.

Johanna was an interesting character, and while I understood her antagonism toward the world, that’s partly why I had a hard time with the beginning just because her shrill attitude rubbed me wrong, and I kept wanting to correct her for how she whined at her younger brother. But she gets better. :) except for one decision she makes, which is necessary to drive the story forward, but which made me want to shout at her “In what universe is this a good or feasible idea?”

Alex was very intriguing but I also didn’t like his gambling habit. He seemed to be so much of a drifter and I’d have liked a bit more detail about his history, which wasn’t filled in as well as Johanna’s. What happens to him in the course of the story broke my heart, though, and made me want to cry over him!

Griep’s storytelling is best in the colorful visuals of what’s going on around her characters, and I relished the almost tangible settings the story shows.

I did want to hear more of what happened to Mr. Nutbrown and even Johanna’s mother and brother. The ending came very quickly, and I’d have liked at least another chapter. :)

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free reading copy. I ended up buying a hard copy and the review is based on the final copy, not the ARC ebook. A favorable review was not required.

Breath taking, tense mystery and drama. Set in England in 1808 at a little run-down Inn, Johanna and her mother (with some help from her little brother) are trying to keep the business afloat and keep up with the payments. Little do they know the danger about to surround them. Alex is a Runner who is undercover, and more or less living a lie as far as Johanna is concerned. But he can’t reveal himself until his job is done. Neither is expecting to fall in love, but each supports the other and they are strengthened in their faith – which is what sees them through. This one is nearly impossible to set down, and I held my breath entirely too much! Although there was more Dickens style darkness to this than I had expected the story was VERY good.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Barbour Publishing - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I really wanted to get into this book, however I found it slightly slow paced and I felt that my heart was not into the storyline.

*Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for providing me this free copy in exchange for an honest review.”


This book is a rich look at London in the 1800s, just around the time the first “police” force was coming to be. As can be expected from Ms. Griep, this story is a Christian, inspirational story without any of the things that can sometimes make a reader cringe with other books (sexual content, etc.)
This was so cute and so well written...I felt like I was there running along with Johanna trying to take care of the Inn; right there with Alexander as he tried to suss out the bad guys.
Really enjoyable. I’ll be looking for more work from this author.

Author Michelle Griep has done it again. The Innkeeper’s Daughter is another book that took me not only by surprise but on quite an extraordinary adventure and my reader’s heart was very, very happy.

Taking place in Dover, England during the time of the Napoleonic conflict, we step into neither a world of aristocrats nor the ton, but of spies and the poorer folks. Johanna is a young woman who is trying to keep their family’s inn’s roof over their head while helping her mother and tending to her younger brother. Her problems and financial situation unfortunately are way out of her control.

Officer Alexander Moore is sent as a spy on a dangerous mission to root out a traitor, however he is a gentleman at heart and quickly finds himself over his head in love with Johanna and wanting to protect her, (which in so many gallant ways he does), that he finds his real life and his secret life in complete odds with each other.

I never know what kind of a story author Griep will hand me, but they have always been good and have induced me to have many sleepless nights and dread the inevitable life interruptions. This story was the same with a variety of quirky characters and secrets that needed to be exposed and sniffed out and even secrets that the hero was unaware of. The slow burn romance and the inevitable heartbreak between Alex and Johanna had me almost weeping so well described was the atmosphere between them. Bravo and I can hardly wait for more.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I really tried to get into this book. I read about halfway before quitting. Could not really get past my dislike of some of the characters. Didn’t really understand some of their motivations and also there was a weird situation with a character who spoke through a puppet and it was so odd that I couldn’t move past it. The characters seemed to be ok with that kind of bazaar behavior and I just couldn’t see it as being realistic.

I delighted in this novel, another in the Bow Street runners series. Joanna works her heart to the bone at the Blue Hedge Inn her family owns. She watches over her young brother and her aging mother who are her world. The Inn’s holds a rough crowd in the lower class section of Dover, England, but it’s her life and she must make ends meet to pay the rent. Unbeknownst to her, an undercover officer has taken up residence under her roof, with the name of Alexander Morton. He’s not the usual customer since he pays ahead of time for his room and board. The bar brings in ruffians and some aren’t who they seem to be.

I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery played out in the plot. The two main characters cannot deny the chemistry that develops between them. Alexander struggles to maintain his strong, godly beliefs while he discovers who is smuggling at the docks. The author incorporates some humorous and colorful characters, such as Mr. Nutbrown, who only speaks through his puppet and skips paying his bill by climbing out his window.

Michelle Griep, one of my favorite writers, brings depth, true human flaws plus graces into her books. She clearly believes that faith in God is worth clinging to in any circumstance.

This book is historically extremely accurate. However it did not appeal to me. The storyline and the characters felt very loose and it was a chore rather than a pleasure to read

Set in Dover. England in the very early 1800s, The Innkeeper's Daughter is an intriguing novel that pits love against duty. When Officer Alexander goes undercover to expose a plot against the crown, he didn't plan on falling for Johana or feeling for her plight to save her family from poverty. Now he must chose his duty or his love...

I enjoyed this beautiful story and the characters. It had mystery as well as romance. which gives it more body than just a simple love story.

The Innkeeper's Daughter is set in 1808 Dover, England and tells the story of a London officer who goes undercover to expose a plot against the crown. During this time, he meets Johanna Langley who is trying to keep her family's inn afloat. She doesn't know what is going to happen when the rent and the hearth payment is due at the same time.

This was a great book! I love reading historical fiction. Life seemed more simplistic then but the struggles were the same as the struggles we face now. The research that was put into writing this book was impeccable. Reading about a spring holiday that I’ve never heard of, Oak Apple Day, made me want to research and learn more about this day. The Innkeeper’s Daughter is a great book.

I received a copy of this book for free however a favorable review was not required. I chose to write this review.