This was overall very sweet and romantic, although it does have more dramatic moments as well. Frankie was a fun main character. I really liked her personality and I loved how she was both very practical while also being quite endearing. I also liked the side cast, especially Frankie’s sister, and I’m glad that she also got her own romance. Overall, this was a very fun historical romance.

American heiress Frankie is only defending her home when she hits a strange man over the head in her London kitchen in the middle of the night. Before she notices that he's only bringing home her degenerate uncle. And he's very handsome. And she knows him. Of course, the unconscious man happens to be Reynard "The Fox" Boulton, England's most prolific keeper of secrets and gossip. Reynard has been charged by his best friend to (reluctantly) keep an eye on the man's new sisters-in-law, including Frankie. Soon the two are off on a thrilling adventure to rescue Frankie's younger sister and save Frankie herself from an unwanted engagement.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this story, which was full of action and heroic deeds. Frankie is an endearing, intrepid heroine, and Reynard is the perfect reluctant hero with a tortured past. They banter and play off each other in a charming way.

I didn't love all the secondary characters, for some of the same reasons I didn't love them in the first book of the series. Frankie's mother is kind of a one-note shrew, as she tries to force her daughter to accept a proposal from a sketchy Prussian duke. And the girls' Uncle Red is an annoying caricature of a western American rancher. I could've done with way less of Uncle Red and his homespun aphorisms, especially when his poor choices keep making trouble for his nieces.

This is the second book in the series. This had a few romances stories in it. More coming in the next book. Great characters. Lots of drama, action, and adventure. Boats, trains, and cabs. Kidnapping, fighting, and danger. A very full story.

A fun book full of twists and turns that are sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. Frankie is in London with her uncle, mother, and sisters. The family made a fortune in silver mining in Nevada, and mom has brought the girls to England looking for improved marital opportunities. In other words, mom wants to snag titled men for her girls. Frankie is the independent sort and has no interest in falling in with her mother's plans. She has no intention of marrying at all. The fun started one night when Frankie caught a man sneaking into her house and whacked him on the head. It turned out that it was Reynard trying to sneak her Uncle Red into the house after finding him drunk. As Reynard had promised his friend, who is also Frankie's brother-in-law, that he would watch over the family, Reynard felt he had no choice. Though horrified by the realization that she was dealing with the notorious gossip, it didn't stop Frankie from demanding his help with her uncle. Previous meetings had been somewhat less than cordial, but both Frankie and Reynard suddenly find themselves taking a deeper notice of each other. That connection increased when Frankie saved Reynard from an attempt to trick him into marriage.

I really liked both Frankie and Reynard. Frankie is plain-spoken, loyal to her family, and a little bit naïve. While she had an enjoyable time in London, she thought the men were boring, until she got to know Reynard. She is a bit impulsive, especially when it comes to taking care of her family, and that gets her into some interesting predicaments. Reynard is terrific. He hasn't had an easy life, in spite of being the heir to a viscount. His parents died when he was young, leaving him to be raised by his uncle, the viscount. That uncle treated Reynard terribly, insinuating that his parents hadn't been married, that Reynard wasn't truly the heir and other things along those lines. There was no love in Reynard's life. As an adult, Reynard was treated like dirt by his uncle. He isn't even allowed to live in the house but has quarters above the carriage house. I ached for him and his feelings of not knowing who he really was.

I loved the development of the relationship between Frankie and Reynard. There was a simmering chemistry between them that took them both by surprise. I liked the way that Frankie couldn't stand by and let Reynard be railroaded into marriage even though she didn't like him at that point. Things became a little more heated between them when she disguised herself as a boy so she could observe his duel and he caught her at it. Even though they had their differences, Frankie knew she could depend on Reynard when she needed help. He was the one she went to for help finding out about the man her sister Claire was interested in, and again when Claire snuck away to follow the man to France. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them, as Reynard would get frustrated by Frankie's headstrong stubbornness and her by his unexpected cautiousness. Despite the frustration, they also grew closer, developing a friendship that allowed them to share some of the bad times in their lives. Each of them also realized that their feelings for each other were changing, but there were obstacles to doing anything about it. Reynard knows that he is in no position to marry and he refused to do anything that would harm Frankie. Frankie was frustrated by her inability to get past Reynard's scruples, but she also respected him for them. I loved seeing them work together to track Claire. There were some terrific twists to their time in Paris that added to both the fun and the heartbreak.

The group's return to England brought more trouble to both Reynard and Frankie. Her mother pushed hard for Frankie to find a titled gentleman to marry and was ecstatic when the Prussian Duke Ottenberg showed a marked interest in Frankie. Though initially flattered by the attention, Frankie quickly realized that there was something about the duke that made her very uncomfortable. The scenes with him definitely pegged my creep-o-meter, and each encounter made it worse. Besides the duke's attitude toward Frankie, he also knew that Reynard was a threat to him and took steps to neutralize the threat. No one realized just how big a problem the duke was until it was almost too late. I was on the edge of my seat until that problem was resolved by a truly exciting confrontation between the duke and Reynard. Through it all, I wanted to shake Frankie's mother, and I loved seeing Frankie tell her mother exactly what was what in an eye-opening conversation.

I liked how Frankie's love for Reynard gave him the courage to finally confront his uncle, though things did not go quite as he expected. I loved that Frankie was by his side, giving him the support he needed. While I wasn't completely surprised by the truth Reynard uncovered, there were a couple of unexpected twists. I ached for Reynard and didn't blame him for his initial reaction. It was interesting to see what happened once he calmed down and had a chance to learn all the details. I loved how he was completely upfront with Frankie about all of it. The scene in the parlor at her house was sweet, funny, and emotional, and showed just how perfect they were for each other.

There were two other romances going on at the same time. The first was the romance between Frankie's sister, Claire, and the orchestra conductor, Julian. Both Claire and Julian were incredible musicians, which is what brought them together. But Julian came nowhere near what Claire's mother wanted for her. Though there were times I thought that Claire was naïve in her belief that she would be able to marry him, she turned out to be more determined than expected. She was also incredibly lucky during her trip to Paris. It was great to see how, once again, it was Reynard and his connections that brought a satisfactory conclusion to that romance.

There was also a sweet second-chance romance between Uncle Red and family friend Countess Evelyn. Uncle Red was in a whole heap of trouble because of his drinking and gambling. The countess was asked by the girls' mother to take them in hand because of their bad attitudes toward her plans. But when the girls didn't show up at Evelyn's country home, she and Red teamed up to find them. This gave them the chance to get to know each other again and deal with the mistakes of the past. I loved seeing all three stories converge in Paris and how their teamwork brought about so many happy endings.

I really need to go back and read the first book in the series, A Good Day to Marry a Duke, before the next book comes out.

The girl with the sweetest secret is the second instalment in Betina Krahn's Sin and Sensibilities series. This book, while part of a series can be read as a standalone. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
American Frances “Frankie” Bumgarten is surprised to find a stranger in her family’s kitchen late at night. She is even more shocked to discover the man is Reynard Boulton, aka the Fox, who is heir to a Viscount and collects gossip and secrets.
Reynard was tasked by his friend, who happens to be Frankie’s brother in law, to look after the family. When he discovers Frankie’s uncle has lost all the family’s money he realises he needs to keep a closer watch.
This book is full of enough twists and turns to keep the reader hooked. An engaging read set in Victorian England this book has plenty to offer.

This is a well-written book with colorful characters and a plot that takes twists and turns. I enjoyed the American heroine, Frankie. She doesn't want to be married but catches the eye of a German Duke. The hero, Raynard, is a gossip and secret keeper in the ton. He finds out what kind of person the Duke is and warns Frankie. Her mother is a social climber who likes that her daughter has caught the eye of a Duke.

I liked the family dynamic in this novel. The book was a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

This was an interesting read in that it was told from more perspectives than just the two main protagonists. I feel like that is unique for the genre. The downside is that sometimes it felt a little closer to narration than purposeful plot progression. The story managed many interwoven plot lines, with a legitimately devious antagonist, but the book overall felt a little long and maybe could have been trimmed in some places. All in all, a steadily paced historical romance, with three separate romantic storylines, and bonus sword fighting.

Frances Bumgarten encounters a handsome stranger in her kitchen in the middle of the night. Reynard Boulton, nephew of the Viscount Tannehill, and a friend to her brother-in-law is returning her inebriated uncle, Redmond Straight safely home. Reynard’s the “the Fox” the arrogant purveyor of gossip among England's aristocracy and their family has a lot of secrets. Frances aka Frankie has social climbing Mother who notices the Duke of Ottenberg on the hunt for a bride. Her Mother is a force to reckoned, her goal is daughter married to the Duke. Frankie’s sworn off marriage entirely and only wants to help her sister find a love match this season. I loved this book as Reynard and Frankie join forces to save a loved one. The attraction between Fox and Frankie continues to grow even as they annoy each other, I love it fire and sparks fly. This my honest opinions is resolved to build a school for ladies in after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

The Girl with the Sweetest Secret is second in the Sin and Sensibility series and it is very much an adventure. Our independent, strong Daisy Bumgarten is fascinated by the heir to a viscount, Reynard Boulton. He is The Fox to his friends due to being a keeper of secrets.

The Bumgarten family will draw your interest quickly. They are from Nevada, lived in New York for a while, then migrated to England to try to marry into nobility. At least, that is mother’s wish. She does not take into consideration that her very strong daughters have minds of their own. Part of this family is the doting Uncle Red, but who is also part of the problem.

Add into this mix, Reynard. He has been tasked by his best friend to watch after the family while said best friend is on his honeymoon trip with the eldest Bumgarten daughter. Reynard truly does not want this task. But, along comes a very proper German duke to complicate matters. The duke has determined that he will have Daisy to wife.

One of Daisy’s younger sisters, Cece, has fallen in love with a French conductor. Mother is not going for that at all. Cece, being a strong minded Bumgarten female, decides to take her own fate into her hands and adds to the adventure of this book.

Daisy’s mother has huge social ambitions for her daughters, even to the point of telling Daisy she needs to accept that men of power have needs that we women need to ignore. This because her mother wants her to marry a duke. Even when Daisy shows her mother the bruises on her body that the duke made, mother does not care. She just wants her daughter to be a duchess.

Handsome Reynard just wants to live his life away from this family, but he keeps being drawn back in by his promise to his friend and by Daisy. He is fascinated by her, but wants his own future settled before he makes the decision to marry.

There are several sweet romances in this one book that make you want to see all of them reach their HEA. The Bumgarten family have brought their wild west ideas with them to London society. The combination makes for a charming family. The Girl with the Sweetest Secret can be a stand alone book, but I think you would enjoy it best if read in the series.

This is my first time reading this author.The overall story was okay and the characters were decent. I would like to see more from this author.

There’s an absolutely amazing scene late in this book where the heroine Frances ‘Frankie’ confronts her social-climbing mother. Accusing her of not listening when Frankie told her about the cruel and violent proclivities of the duke her mother was trying to marry her off to, Frankie fearlessly points out some unpalatable truths; that her mother was so blinded by the idea of her daughter being a duchess, she didn’t care that Frankie would be the one paying the price for her mother’s ambitions. It’s a heart-pounding, emotive scene that will strike a chord with every woman in this age of #MeToo, every woman who’s been dismissed as exaggerating or lying when they tell the truth about a man’s bad behaviour.

But I’m getting ahead of myself; I’d fallen in love with Frankie Bumgarten long before we get to that incredible scene. Younger sister of Daisy, the fabulous American silver heiress from A Good Day To Marry A Duke, Frankie’s not afraid of anything except failing to live life to the fullest. She’s pretty sure she doesn’t want to marry at all, but spending time with her hero Reynard slowly brings her around to a different way of thinking.

One of Frankie’s sisters Claire, a gifted musician, also gets her happy ending in this book, but not without a certain amount of Drama which does play into Frankie’s story significantly, as Frankie and Reynard must make a mad dash to Paris to try and retrieve Claire safely.

One of the (many) reasons I love Betina Krahn’s writing is the attention to detail of historical accuracy; she really brings to life the changing world of the late Victorian era, with steamships and trains offering new and faster ways to travel, a rising middle class and a new breed of wealthy industrialists encroaching on the high society traditionally dominated by the hereditary aristocracy. This is a wonderful read in every way, and I’m really looking forward to the youngest sister Sarah’s story! Five stars.

The Girl with the Sweetest Secret by Betina Krahn is book Two in the Sin and Sensibility series. This is the story of Frances 'Frankie' Bumgarten and Reynard Boulton. I have read the previous book, but feel this can be a standalone book.
Frankie has settled not to marry but does want to help her sister who has fallen for a musician but is unsure of him. Frankie knows that Reynard could help her find out more about her sister love interest since he knows all the gossip. But working with him brings up feelings she didn't think she would have and has her thinking of marriage. Reynard has promised to keep an eye on the sisters so when Frankie asked for his help he didn't have much choice which has lead him to finding his own feelings. But Reynards has other things to workout before he can make a marriage promise to anyone if ever. But when a evil Duke tries to take him down and take Frankie it moves everything forward for them to work and be together.
Great characters and a joy to read for me.

The Girl with Sweetest Secret is an American brought over to London by her family to use their money to capture a title.

American Frances “Frankie” Bumgarten is surprised by a stranger in her family’s kitchen late at night. After almost braining the stranger with an old bread paddle, Frankie is embarrassed by her lack of a robe or any covering other than a thin nightgown. Frankie recognizes Reynard Boulton, aka the Fox, who is an heir to a Viscount and collects gossip as his trade. He is helping her Uncle Red return home from a long evening of gambling and drinking. The Fox has agreed to watch over Frankie and her sister in her brother-in-law’s absence so he was unable to use the gossip he acquired against Frankie and her family.

Later when the Fox and Frankie meet at a dance, they both feel a connection. Unfortunately, Frankie’s mother wants her to marry high in the aristocracy and a Prussian Duke is interested in her. When later, the Fox is almost ensnared in a family’s marriage trap, Frankie saves him from immediate shame. However, the Fox must have a duel with the family’s father. While Frankie, dressed as a boy, is watching, the duel is held. The action just escalates from there.

The Girl with Sweetest Secret is an action-packed and enjoyable Victorian historical romance. It is highly recommended for readers of that genre. 4 stars!

Thanks to Zebra Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Girl With The Sweetest Secret is the second book Betina Krahn has written about the Bumgarten Sisters. I do think you will want to read both books in order to be able to better understand this book. Two of the sisters fall in love in this book Frances who’s story is the main one in the book and Claire who’s story while secondary is delightful as well. Frances Baumgarten and Reynard Bolton aka The Fox start out as reluctant allies, move to friends, the keepers of each other’s secrets and then lovers. There are lots of secrets and adventure, exciting chases, a nasty villain, and a pair of very satisfying HEAs. Although this is a historical novel I think many of the things the characters experience will resonate with modern readers. I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this delightful story and do recommend it. Medium Steam, Publishing Date November 27, 2018 #NetGalley #TheGirlWithTheSweetestSecret #kensingtonbooks #zebraromance

This was a miss for me. The story line was only so-so, and I was a bit bored at times. Perhaps I was bored because the story was slow moving, or because I failed to connect with the characters. This doesn't make it a bad book, just not for me.

Fox and Frankie have so much chemistry. They are perfect for each other and their attraction to one another is apparent from the beginning. The author is wonderful at including secondary characters that thereaders will love.

An exciting story with compelling characters you cannot help but love and plenty of twist and turns, it is hard to keep up with it all! The second story of the four American Baumgarten sisters and this time with Frankie. She finds the gentlemen in London boring and is not in a hurry to marry, if ever. Of course her mother wants all of her daughters to marry a titled husband if possible.
What starts as an unexpected meeting, brings Raynard, aka the Fox into contact with her. He had been given the duty of watching over the girls by his best friend, although he has kept a distance. But being around Frankie they both started feeling attracted to each other.
Full of suspense, secrets, romance, betrayal and humor this tale had a little of it all. With lovable characters and the chemistry between Frankie and Raynard strong, I could not put it down until the end. I am looking forward to the next story in this series with the another delightful sister!

When Frances Bumgarten encounters a handsome stranger in her kitchen in the middle of the night, her first impulse is to wallop the scoundrel on the head with a bread paddle. And when Frankie discovers he is “The Fox,” a disarmingly arrogant purveyor of gossip among England’s aristocracy, she’s tempted to take a second swing even though he’s very handsome. Never mind that Reynard Boulton, nephew of the Viscount Tannehill, is returning her inebriated uncle safely home. Frankie’s sworn off marriage entirely. She will, however, help her younger sister win her own love match.
Then Frankie catches the eye of the villainous duke of Ottenberg who is scheming to claim her.
This is the second book in the series but could easily be read on its own. However a couple of issues from the first book were resolved in the book, which added to my enjoyment & if I hadn’t read the previous book I’d definitely would have wanted to read it. This book takes place three years after the first. The pace was good & kept my interest all the way through, there was plenty of adventure that added to the story. Reynard & Frankie were very likeable & fought their feelings for quite some time but both did have secrets, which finally came to light. The secondary characters are well drawn & I particularly liked Red
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I am a huge fan of historical romance. Unfortunately this particular tale was a miss for me. I felt that I had to force myself to finish reading. There are many fans out that that I am sure will love this story. Reading is subjective to each individual reader and I couldn’t connect with these characters. I felt that the plot dragged on and the pace of the story needed to increase.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary ebook of this title.

This was a really entertaining read that will keep you on your toes, and keep you cheering for true love to win out against all else. Frances Bumgarten is a breathtakingly beautiful American silver heiress who can have anyone in the ton she wants, only one problem...she doesn't want any of them. Her sisters may dream of love and romance, but she does not.
Reynard Boulton is the keeper of secrets for the ton and a deliciously handsome man to boot. When events play out that throw Frances and Reynard together they discover that love can blossom in the last place you would think it to happen, and that only through perseverance, trust, and a little bit of luck you can have more then you ever dreamed possible.
Great read that I would definitely recommend, cant wait to read the next in the series.