Another author to add to my list! This is the first book by Michelle Griep that I have read, but definitely will not be the last. The Innkeeper's Daughter has everything I look for in a book: excellent plot, memorable characters, well-researched historical detail and a spiritual message that can relevant to the reader as well. This is a regency filled with political intrigue, smuggling and a wonderful eclectic cast of characters. Although there are references to a previous book, Brentwood's Ward, this can easily be read as a stand alone.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"If you lose what you love to gain that which you don't, merely out of a sense of duty, such an action can never be right."

" You must bring your broken heart to God-or your broken heart will make you leave Him."

"Oh, God, he gasped."There never has been anything else, was there? Only You, not me. I've been standing in the way."

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Alex Moore is a Bow Street Runner on an undercover off the record mission to track down a traitor by posing as a roguish gambler, courting the viscount's daughter. While undercover he is staying at the Blue Hedge Inn in Dover, where he meets Johanna.



Johanna Langley works hard to keep the inn afloat, worrying about the lack of customers and how to care for her family

so that they won't be forced into the poor house. Johanna can't seem to understand why she is falling for the their guest's roguish charm.



Will Alex be able to complete his mission without putting them all in danger, or losing his heart in the process?



This book was slow to start, but as it picked up momentum I really enjoyed the many characters, great dialog, faith, and action-packed conclusion.



Johanna is hardworking and faithful, trying to hold on to the only way of life that she's known. She loves her family, and she is good at carrying on.



Alex is duty bound to fulfill his mission, he wishes that he could be more honest with the woman who has come to mean so much to him, and what will she do when she finds out that he isn't who he's been pretending to be? I like how he takes a deeper look at his faith, and learns about trusting God with the outcome. Also the way that he interacts with Thomas is good for him, as he encourages Thomas to keep trying and never give up.



Johanna's mother is a lot like Johanna, and there is more to her than most people know. Thomas is outgoing, friendly, and wants to help his mother and sister make the inn a success.



Overall once it got going this was a fantastic read with great characters, who are likable, and have great chemistry.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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've enjoyed several of Michelle Griep's books--especially her Bleakley Manor Christmas book. Have to admit I did struggle a bit to get into this one, but once I was in, I was in! Mega kudos to her for such a fun and quirky cast of characters...and story twists I didn't see coming.

The Innkeepers Daughter

Set in the very early 1800’s. An adventurous story, Alex Moore goes undercover at the Blue Hedge Inn but finds a lot more than he bargained for. Johanna the Innkeepers daughter was very hard on herself, trying to take care of the bookkeeping and trying to save the inn from being taken from them. I felt bad for her at times, she was blaming herself for everything bad that happened. I really loved Mrs. Langley character, so hardworking and loving. She has a mystery of her own. Then there was Thomas, Johanna’s little brother. Always getting mischief. There was also some scenes that made me laugh. A very enjoyable book. I received an advanced copy of the book from Celebrate Lit.

I did not expect this book to be as wild a ride as it was! I am excited I got a chance to read it, but sad I missed the first journey of some of these particular characters from her book, "Brentwood's Ward." I will soon be fixing that error, though!:)

Johanna is a take charge character who delves deep into an assassination plot ( alongside a handsome officer named Alexander) and continues to surprise throughout the book. I don't want to give much away, but suffice it to say, the book will keep you up late at night and preempt any other engagements you have once you are hooked on the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A review was not required but was voluntary and contains my own thoughts and opinions regarding this literary work. I am thankful I was able to read it! I will be purchasing a hard copy very soon for my collection!

This was a heartwarming Christian romance novel set in the early 1800’s.
Alexander is a Bow Street Runner and is sent on a secret mission to try and route out a criminal. While he is playing the part of a character, he falls in love with the woman who runs the Inn that he is staying at. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two of them and their relationship with each other. He knows her feelings about dishonesty and is worried if she finds out who he really is, she will not be happy with him.
I enjoyed all the other side stories going on with all the different characters and the mystery of who the criminal is. There was just enough happening to keep it entertaining. It wasn’t too “preachy” and was a nice clean read. This is the first book I have read from this author but am now interested in reading more. This is a stand alone novel, but a companion book to a previous book about another Runner named Brent. It’s on my list to read now too!

I really enjoy how things are always happening and changing in Michelle Griep's books. The Innkeeper's Daughter was no exception. I never knew what would happen next and I was surprised a few times! The message of giving things to God and trusting Him really came through with what the characters were going through. I REALLY REALLY hope that the next book is about the mysterious Thatcher.

The Innkeeper’s Daughter was an interesting read about regency England. During the time period of this particular story France is still an enemy of England and Napoleon is free. Bay Street Runner (which were pre-police force lawmen, but this guy seems to be more like MI6) Alexander Moore is assigned to find a traitor roaming free in Dover. The stakes are high for him because even his “agency” will disavow him if he gets caught. So, obviously there’s an exciting plot laid out at the very beginning.
To be honest, it took several chapters into the story. It really wasn’t until the middle of the book that my attention was captured.
A lot of characters are introduced and it was difficult at times to keep them all straight. In the final chapters of the book, the whole cast is presented and everyone is connected somehow though in unlikely ways. It was an interesting to see how everyone was connected, though it wasn’t any surprise. There was one character, Mr. Nutbrown, that just didn’t really seem to fit but he was woven throughout the entire story of Dover’s innkeeper’s daughter, Johanna. He was a bizarre character, who only spoke through his hand puppet, who got into trouble and dragged our heroine into his mess. I suppose that was the way of getting her into the thick of things and revealing to her true identities of the rest of the cast of characters.
I had to work through what the actual crime was, as there were allusions to treachery but it was never clear exactly what it was, and then when it was becoming clearer more subplots were thrown our way. There was a connection to India, and a crime that happened there that is linked to the current treachery, but again details were a bit fuzzy. We find out who the traitor was but there were several people who had motives to do it but I didn’t feel like the real traitor had the strongest motive.
And of course, there’s a strong link between the inn and a few of our characters, but some questions remain (for me anyway) at the end of the novel.
As for the romance part of the novel, it was well written and highly emotional between our hero and heroine. The characters grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally by the end of the story. This was probably the most satisfactory part of the novel for me.
I received an ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

He has one job to do...then he met her...

Where to begin? The Innkeeper's Daughter is only the second Michelle Griep book that I've read but it quickly shot to favorite so far status. If you are looking for a run-of-the-mill fluffy Regency story with endless white dresses and parties, look elsewhere. If, like me, you absolutely love a story with lots of danger, intrigue, and adventure with a healthy dash of romance, The Innkeeper's Daughter should be right up your alley.

I enjoyed this story immensely! It had everything necessary to keep me glued to the page. I really thought that it would take me a bit to finish The Innkeeper's Daughter but I just couldn't seem to put it down. Michelle Griep brought the Regency Era vividly to life - from working class innkeepers to the glittering upper crust of society.

I did notice that a previous story was referred to a few times, I'm assuming Brentwood's Ward, but it really didn't detract from my enjoyment of The Innkeeper's Daughter. It just made me want to go back and read the previous book.

Faith and family are an integral part of this story in addition to the adventure and intrigue, a mix that I thoroughly enjoyed. Loved this book and I can't wait to read Michelle Griep's next release!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

7seven things I have to say about The Innkeepers Daughter.
1-Johanna is a very stubborn character but I enjoy her growth in faith. There was a lot of encouragment that I needed to hear.
2-Mam's secret made her my favorite character.
3-I wish Thomas's story had more closure, and that he had more growth of character.
4-Alex was a great hero but his backstory felt unrealized.
5-Some of the secondary characters felt a bit weak and could have been more helpful to the plot.
6-In trying to shock the reader there were too many switches at the end, too many revelations, however because of this I was surprised which I liked.
7-Let's face it, the romance between Johanna and Alex was great!

There are books and then there are *books*. This one is the later, the kind that sweeps you off to another place and you don't want to leave it. The settings are rich and tangible and the story is so good. I lost track of time, lost sleep that I didn't want because I just wanted to stay in this book. I have a new favorite author now. The Inn, the secrets, the characters, this is an amazing read and I don't think my review is coming close to doing it justice at the moment. I can't wait to read another book by this author. It needs more than 5 stars.

My copy came from Celebrate Lit. My thoughts, opinions, ​and review are my own, left of my own free will.

I enjoyed this tale of mystery and intrigue. Officer Alexander Moore goes to Dover to root out a traitor and meets Johanna, an innkeeper’s daughter, who is trying to save the inn. Unfortunately, Alex is not free to pursue Johanna even though she intrigues him. I had a hard time understanding his attraction at first. Johanna is extremely self-reliant, bossy, and moody. She lets an evil man treat her poorly. But Alex sees beyond that. He helps her to see that it is God who gives her value and that He cares. “God is not sitting about, watching impassive. Our tears are His. You never—ever—cry alone” (location 3494).
There are lots of people who are very quirky and mysterious, like the man who primarily speaks through his hand puppet. All are not who they seem to be. It reminded me a little of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” when everyone was chasing after the same treasure. There’s a wonderful, complicated climax before things are set to rights.
Along with the quirky characters, I enjoyed the writing style with sentences like….“Truly, he was no more interesting or intimidating than a dish of jellied pigeon livers” (location 632). Or, “He got the distinct impression that laughter was a friend who rarely came to call on her” (location 1315). I loved the colorful imagery.
Thank you to Barbour Publishing for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Michelle Griep's The Innkeeper's Daughter is a stand-alone sequel to Brentwood's Ward. I found this book to be very entertaining. The setting is Dover England in the Regency period. The characters were definitely unique and I enjoyed the romantic, suspenseful plot. I loved the way Michelle wove the lesson of trusting God for all of our needs through the character's lives. The lesson was gently taught but was a natural fit with the plot. I sincerely hope she will write a sequel as there are a few stories I would love to see developed.

I was given this book by the publisher for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

The Innkeeper's Daughter is full of intrigue with a touch of romance. Told from three perspectives—innkeeper Johanna's, spy Alex's, and inn guest Mr. Nutbrown's—it moves fairly slowly at the beginning but then picks up speed, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, something would shift! It's definitely more of a mystery than I was expecting, but I really enjoyed trying to determine the identity of the traitor Alex was looking for.

I must admit that, while I enjoyed the romance between Johanna and Alex, I cared far more about Alex's story than anything else. I think that's because Johanna's insistence on self-reliance grated on me (I get it at the beginning, but she kept things close to the vest for far too long, in my opinion), as well as because Alex's story—involving gamblers, smuggling, a fake relationship, and so many people whose motives were difficult to discern—was just so fascinating!

The characters are a particular strength in this novel. Besides Alex and Johanna, I enjoyed learning about Johanna's 10 going on 25-year-old brother, her mother, the quirky (and surely mentally ill) Mr. Nutbrown, the viscount and his daughter, and more. Also, fans of Griep's Brentwood's Ward will be happy to learn that Nicholas Brentwood makes an appearance here.

While the book did seem just a touch longer than it needed to be and not every thread was tied up at the end, I really enjoyed the novel ... and I guess I'll just have to make up my own ending for Johanna's mother! (I said almost exactly the same thing about The Captive Heart, so maybe Griep enjoys leaving some threads open.) I may not have loved this book quite as much as I loved The Captive Heart, but it was still a solid, entertaining read.

The Innkeepers Daughter was a pleasure to read. Romance, suspense and intrigue set in England in 1808 thrilling to the very end of the book. An undercover agent and a young woman struggling in business, caring for her family both with seemingly overwhelming hardships. Characters and plots that will keep you guessing until the last pages. The theme that stood out throughout the book was to put our faith and trust in God alone. Read it in one sitting and could not put it down.

Michelle Griep has a true storyteller’s voice. This is my first book by this author and I definitely want more. I love historical fiction and this was so well written. The characters come alive on the page with so many elements to entwine them. Romance, intrigue, suspense, and history weave them together. Well done Michelle.

Readers, get ready to transport yourself back to 1808 England. Not only will you want to be a guest at the Inn, you will find yourself wanting to join in the action, the fun, and even the secrets. The setting for this book took me by surprise. I’ve read historic novels placed in London and loved them, so I wasn’t sure how a non-London location would work in my mind. Early on I found that I loved it. The people (good and bad), the buildings, the streets, all of it really. Michelle Griep paints a lovely picture, well and honestly sometimes not so lovely, but that’s okay. She has a way of writing that stirs all your senses into thinking you are really there. This is one setting I’d like to visit again.

It’s no secret that Johanna needs help keeping her family afloat. The inn is rundown, she owes too much money, and quite frankly is in over her head. But she doesn’t let all of that stop her from trying. Johanna is a very determined character, willing to do whatever it takes. I admire that about her, to a point. I think there were a couple of times she was willing to go a tad too far, but maybe we all would have. With all strong heroines, there is a side to them that it takes a certain type of person to bring out. And who better for the job than Alexander Moore. He pushed her buttons and I loved seeing her get flustered over him.

As much as I loved seeing Alexander and Johanna interact, I think some of my favorite scenes stemmed around Alexander and Thomas. Thomas was so spunky, and often did things before really thinking about them. He provided not only a comedic relief at times, but an added layer to this story that made it so much better. When an author has the ability to make me think about and love a secondary character, they’ve done their job as a writer. So often we get tied up with the main characters that the secondary ones seem almost like an after thought. I like bringing them to the forefront a little bit, and Michelle Griep has done just that.

Characters and setting aside, this book is full of romance, fun, adventure, and suspense. Imagine being placed in your favorite spy movie, and then set it in 1808. Alexander could easily be compared to James Bond, or other swoon worthy spies. He certainly caught my eye! I can promise you I’ll be looking for more great novels by Michelle Griep in the future. And as for this one, well it’s hanging around for awhile so that I can visit Dover whenever I’d like.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Why This Book:
I have heard a lot of great things about Michelle Griep’s books, but I hadn’t yet had the chance to read one (despite putting her novel, The Captive Heart, on my list of Top Ten Must Read Historical Romance Novels for 2017). When I saw the opportunity to join her Celebrate Lit tour, I hopped over to Amazon to check out the first few lines in the book’s preview and decided this was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.

Opening Line (from Chapter 1):
Dover, England, 1808

Numbers would be the death of Johanna Langley.

First Impressions:
The first line, even the first paragraph, intrigued me, but I have to admit the rest of the first scene, though well-written and filled with interesting characters, just didn’t engage me. Perhaps I was just tired or distracted, but for whatever reason, I didn’t really feel engaged until the second scene where the hero was introduced, and I wouldn’t say I was truly “hooked” until the first scene of the second chapter. I can’t honestly put my finger on why this was. It may be that I needed time to adjust to Griep’s writing style or to the slightly different genre/setting of the book from my typical reads (I tend to read more American history than English), or it could just be that I was having an off day. Whatever the case, even in looking back at the first few scenes, I can’t find any fault within the writing or storytelling, so this less than enthusiastic first impression is probably on me and not the author.

Characters:
Johanna Langley – To say Johanna is a hard worker, sacrificing all to keep her family from losing their home and livelihood – the Blue Hedge Inn – would be an understatement. The weight of this responsibility combined with the bitterness left behind by her deceased father’s betrayal of trust has shaped her into a woman who freely admits she has no desire for fun and mistrusts each man she meets. Yet, she strives to be a godly woman and readily recognizes the truth of her errors when revealed to her.

Alexander Moore aka Alexander Morton – A Bow Street runner (sort of like an early policeman) who has been assigned a mysterious undercover assignment – the details of which he is less than pleased about. He is essentially a good-hearted man trying to walk the line of serving justice and remaining as truthful as possible with those he cares about.

Lucious Nutbrown – Eccentric moocher who’s lack of social sophistication gets him into no end of trouble.

Mr. Ford – Magistrate and Alexander’s superior with an air of mystery to his personal life. He is also Alexander’s guardian, having taken Alexander in when he was orphaned as a young boy.

Thomas Langley – Mischief-making little brother to Johanna Langley with responsibilities typical of a child his age in that era.

Mrs. Eliza Langley – Widowed mother of Johanna and Thomas Langley, she’s had a difficult life, but she’s a tough, clever woman and a loving “mam.”

Mr. Quail – The leader of an itinerate band of musicians.

Mr. Spurge – The lien holder on the Blue Hedge Inn.

Tanny Needler – A man no one wants to work for.

Viscount Coburn – Alexander’s initial suspect and Father of Louisa.

Louisa Coburn – Rebellious daughter of the the viscount.

Emotional Engagement & Pacing of the Story:
It may have taken me a few scenes to become truly engaged in this story but not too long after that I had to force myself to very reluctantly put it down when life responsibilities demanded my attention. I lost no small amount of sleep to this delightful novel. Consider yourself warned.

This book made me chuckle several times and I even caught myself truly choking up a couple times, so I think it’s safe to say I was emotionally engaged with these characters.

Elements I especially liked/disliked:
I liked the way the author handled the unique dialects in the dialogue of the different characters. I could clearly hear distinct voices in my mind as I read. (No comments from the peanut gallery, thank you.) From their physical appearance to the way they spoke, to the actions they took, each character was distinct enough from any other that at no time was I ever confused as to whom I was reading about. Furthermore, there were no throw-away characters, as each had an important and unique part in the story. With a somewhat large cast of players, this is an accomplishment to be applauded.

I loved the climax because it tricked me – in a good way. I cannot say exactly how without giving it away but suffice to say what I thought was the situation for about three or so scenes, wound up not being the case and when I realized the truth, I was delighted with the twist – and I’m not even referring to the “whodunit” portion of the mystery (but yes, I was happily somewhat fooled there as well – I only guessed part of it).

I also want to add that the descriptions in this novel were so rich and well done that not only did I feel I was there, but the descriptions themselves enhanced the story.

Themes:
When is it okay to lie?

Is gambling itself a sin?

Who is the source of our hope and strength?

Ending:
I loved the ending because just when I thought things were winding down, there was one more twist to be had. Yet in the end, all the strings that needed tying were done so with a satisfying finesse that had me grinning like a fool and even giggling a little with delight.

Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

This is a great story full of love, mystery, intrigue,and interesting and quirky characters. Set in the early 1800's, there were in-depth descriptions of places and people that added so much to the story. Wonderful writing!

This is a beautiful story.. The characters are well-crafted. I really enjoyed it.