I really enjoyed this book I had forgotten how much I liked reading a Cheryl Bolen series. I plan on going to Amazon to get more of the deceived series books especially Sarah's book. I look forward to reading more of Ms.Bolens books soon.

This was a very sweet novella sized historical romance, very well written and super engaging. i will most likely get more books from this writer.

This clean novella is the second book in The Deceived Series. This can be read as a stand alone but at times I was confused with all of the side characters. The book takes place during the Christmas season and made me look forward to being snowed in with a fire blazing in the fireplace. I really liked the Lady Sarah Milton, the main female character. She was strong, kind and compassionate. On the other hand, Alred Wickham, the male main character, was very childish.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Alfred Wickham's mother is match-making and fancies and alliance between him and Lady Sarah Milton. Alfred had met her before and thought she was a well-bred lady. And, Alfred has never been attracted to well-bred ladies. He asks his best friend to tell Lady Sarah about his wicked habits: gambling, recklessness and his "understanding" with an actress. After his friend succeeds in helping him drive Lady Sarah away, Alfred realizes that his mother was right - Lady Sarah was the perfect girl for him. Now, he will do everything to win her affections.

I absolutely loved this book! I was engaged from the beginning to the end, and I didn't want it to end. I loved the characters. It was a well-written book.

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

His Lady Deceived by Cheryl Bolen
Book #2: Deceived Series
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5/5 stars

For many, Christmas is a joyous time of year spent with friends, family, and acquaintances. It is a time to reflect on the year, to embrace the coming year, and most importantly, to take stock of the blessings in your life. Unfortunately, for Lady Sarah Milton and Alfred Wickham, not much of the above applies.

Lady Sarah is just on the cusp of becoming a spinster! She is beautiful, titled, wealthy, and above reproach. Since her debut into London society, she has had many offers for her hand in marriage, but each and every one, she has politely declined. For Sarah, there is only one man, whose attention she’s never had, who could possibly make her say “yes” to a proposal.

Alfred Wickham is perfectly satisfied with his life. Oh, he may be in debt thanks to his bad betting capabilities, but his parents have always cleared the debts and allowed him to move along with his life and continue his cycle of debauchery. For many years, this has been Alfred’s life and he is wonderfully content with the status quo. Unfortunately, Alfred’s parents are no longer feeling quite so amenable; in fact, Alfred’s parents are ready for him to curb his appetites and settle down. If Alfred’s mother has her way (and she most assuredly will!) Alfred is going to meet, fall for, and propose to Lady Sarah Milton during their shared Christmas celebration.

Within hours of their arrival at their Christmas destination, Lady Sarah and Alfred both draw their battle lines. Alfred does so in the form of his best friend and Sarah with her icy attitude. Alfred has arranged for his best friend to speak ill of him to Lady Sarah so she will want no part of him or matrimony. While the plan seems to work, at least initially, Alfred shows his true colors in his actions and kind treatment of his sister and mother. Lady Sarah, not one to be easily fooled begins to work out the problems in her head and discovers, one should never judge a book by its cover or by its best friend’s ill spoken words.

The Bottom Line: Lord, have mercy! What a wild ride His Lady Deceived turned out to be! From meddling mothers to false character testimonies to a blessed but difficult birth, this book has it all. What’s more, this book is populated with wonderfully rich characters, excellent dialogue, witty exchanges, and a well-deserved HEA. I am always going to recommend Cheryl Bolen and her historical romances. Her books are always beautifully written, populated with interesting and real characters, and based upon plots that are just perfect for the time and place. Oh, and she ALWAYS gives me a strong female lead who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, reveal her intelligence, yet still remain a proper lady 😊

Alfred Wickham is perfectly happy gambling and living the life of a rake. His Viscount father thinks at age 30 it is time for Alfred to marry and settle down. His mother agrees and believes Lady Sarah Milton is the perfect woman for Alfred. The two families are gathered for a holiday house party during which they attempt to bring Alfred and Sarah together. The mamas and papas are determined to make it happen. Alfred, who needs a smack to the back of his head, is determined to resist. He has even brought a friend, Lord Pottinger, along to proclaim his unworthiness for marriage. Sarah is willing for them to get to know each other and see how things turn out. Potts does his job very well. Sarah is no longer interested in Alfred. Well, he got what he wanted, but he begins to think maybe he has made a mistake. Now what is he to do? His Lady Deceived is a fun and happy holiday story with wonderfully entertaining characters and a few surprises. I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

His Lady Deceived is the second book in the Deceived series by Cheryl Bolen.

Lady Sarah Milton is beautiful and she has had her fair share of marriage proposals. She has accepted none of them, how could she when she was secretly smitten with a man who had no idea she was even alive.

Alfred Wickham is that man. He loves his life, he doesn't want to get leg shackled. He just wants to have fun flirting (and the rest) with various women such as actresses, gambling, and having his freedom. He is horrified when he realises he has been invited to a house party where he is to be introduced to some woman that is hoped will become his wife. His mother wants grandchildren from him and she is not prepared to wait any longer. The woman she wants him to propose to is Lady Sarah. He's never met her but he knows she isn't his type when his type is raunchy women, not prim and proper ladies.

Sarah agrees to go to the house party because she loves all the company that will be there, including, of course, Alfred. He eventually agrees to go but has a plan to keep Sarah from getting her hopes up about him. He enlists his friend to make sure that Sarah thinks he is a spoken for scoundrel. Once she learns that news she is bound to keep her distance.

The problem is that before too long he realises she is perfect and that if he were ever to marry then it would be perfect to be married to her. By then though his plan to have her turn against him seems to have worked. Indeed she seems taken with somebody other than him and he isn't at all happy. How is he going to turn things around?

I absolutely adored this story. There were characters from the first book in it which was wonderful because it was lovely to catch up with them. Keep in mind though that you needn't have read that story to fully understand and enjoy this one.

I love the author's wit and the way she describes a scene. It makes the places and the characters come to life. This was a sweet novella length book. Normally I like a bit of 'action' between the main couple, but just the scene involving Mistletoe showed how romance and love can be enough in a story without the need for behind the door action. Sarah and Alfred are a perfect match made in Heaven.

I highly recommend this book.

His Lady Deceived by Cheryl Bolen is book 2 in The Deceived Series. This is the story of Alfred Wickham and Sarah Milton. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book is you wish to do so.
Sarah is a beautiful well off young women but by her own choice is a spinster. Sarah is picky on who she wants to marry and her eyes are on Alfred but she isn't on his radar. When a Yuletide house party is thrown by the Duke and Duchess of Radcliff, Sarah goes thinking that Alfred will be there.
Alfred's mother wants him to marry to give her grandchildren so he knows that this party is a set up to meet a women to marry. Alfred asked his friend Lord Pottinger to intervene and tell the women that he is involved with an actress, gambling and only wants his freedom.
Things seem to work to good for Alfred about the same time he knows he made a mistake...Sarah is the only women for him.

His Lady Deceived is the second book in the Deceived Series and is a great addition to the series. It is a short, sweet romance and great if looking for a fast paced read. Lady Sarah Milton has had several proposals but has refused them all. She has been attracted to Alfred Wickham but he doesn’t know she exists. She jumps at the invitation to spend Christmas at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Radcliff, Alfred’s cousin. When Alfred learns what his mother has planned, he drafts his friend, Lord Pottinger (Potts), to attend the house party. Alfred asks Potts to tell Sarah all about his wicked ways, but once Sarah’s attention is diverted to Potts, he realizes the mistake he has made. Can Alfred gain Sarah’s love after all he has done to discourage her attention? This was a fun book to read and I hope to see Potts HEA in the next book.

Lady Sarah Milton, age 22, and the daughter of an earl, is smitten with Alfred Wickham, age 30, son and heir to Viscount Landis. Alfred seems to be more interested in sporting pursuits than in courting young women.

Sarah was presented at age 17, but has not yet found a man who interests her until she meets Alfred. Alfred’s mother thinks that he and Sarah would make a good couple. However, the two of them have never even been introduced.

Lady Landis invites Sarah and her mother to spend Christmas at Hedley Hall, the home of her niece, the Duchess of Radcliff. As Alfred is invited as well, he insists that his friend Lord Pottinger, (Potts) attend the Christmas affair with him. Potts has always had a stutter around everyone except for Alfred. Alfred wants Potts to go with him because he hopes he will help him avoid being ensnared by some woman. Potts is to convince Sarah that he is not a good marriage prospect due to his rake type lifestyle.

Alfred’s mother has told him that his father is tired of him gambling and wants him to marry and she thinks that Sarah is the perfect woman for him.

Sarah finds Alfred to be rather arrogant so she tends to ignore him and chats with Potts which irritates Alfred. With Alfred surrounded by loving couples. he realizes that marriage may not be so bad after all. Now that Sarah has been spending a lot of time with Potts and he wonders if his plan is going to blow up in his face. He finally knows that he wants Sarah for his wife but he fears it may be too late.

This is yet another sweet, clean romance that is what this author is known for. I have long enjoyed her books and look forward to reading more.

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

A Christmas House party with a determined mother set to have her son married to a particular lady. Getting them together was the easy part but having him actually pay attention to her was another matter.
Lady Sara Milton had turned down numerous proposals because none of the gentleman have touched her heart. She had always been attracted to Alfred Wickham, but alas had never met him. When his mother invites her family to attend the Yuletide festivities she is very excited. It seems his mother even wants to match them up!
But Alfred is determined to get away from his mother's machinations, even though he has not met the young lady. He sets his friend Potts to discourage her and make him seem very, how do I say, unsavory!
But when he does spend time with her, his opinion starts to change, but how to convince her he is not what he has been portrayed?
A sweet delightful story that held my attention and made me only want to read more!

Join the Duke and Duchess of Radcliff and all their friends and family from A Duke Deceived for a Christmas at Hedley Hall . . .

Alfred Wickham is not happy. His match-making mother fancies an alliance between him Lady Sarah Milton, whom Alfred is to meet during Christmas at the Duke and Duchess of Radcliffs’ Hedley Hall holiday celebration. Marriage is the last thing Alfred wants, besides, he’s never been attracted to well-bred ladies. He’ll show them! So he enlists his best friend to whisper nonsense to Lady Sarah of Alfred’s wicked ways: his gambling addiction, his recklessness, and his supposed understanding with an actress.

This is another delightful holiday novella by Cheryl Bolen.
I enjoyed this short read and would give it 4.25 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
I received a complimentary ARC of this title to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Lady Sarah Milton’s spinsterhood is not because she hasn’t received proposals of marriage. Her beauty and dowry have attracted many. It’s just that the men who have proposed don’t appeal to her. The one man who does, the sport-mad Alfred Wickham, doesn’t know she exists. Therefore, when his mother invites her family to spend Yuletide with her extended family at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Radcliff, Lady Sarah jumps at the chance. Alfred Wickham is not happy. His matchmaking mother fancies an alliance between him and some well-bred young miss he’s to meet at the Radcliffs’. The last thing Alfred wants is to tie himself down in matrimony--and, besides, he’s never been attracted to well-bred ladies. He’ll show them! He enlists his best friend, Lord Pottinger, to intervene. Potts is to inform the miss of Alfred’s wicked ways: his gaming, his recklessness, and his (feigned) understanding with an actress. Once Potts has succeeded in poisoning Lady Sarah against his friend, Alfred realizes he’s made a most dreadful mistake.
A lovely fun read whilst this is the second in the series it could easily be read on its own. However it does feature characters from the first book, which added to my enjoyment. I loved everything about Alfred & Sarah & the chemistry between them fairly sizzled, they were so right for each other but first he fought it then she fought it & it made for a delightful read. This is a quick read which I read in a sitting & was left feeling satisfied & looking for more in the series as I’d love the stammering Potts to find his HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

His Lady Deceived is a fantastic historical romance by Cheryl Bolen. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Bolen has delivered a well-written book and furnished it with an outstanding cast of characters. Sarah was willing to fall in with Lady Landis's plans to spend the holidays with a small group of family, especially Lady Landis's son Alfred. Alfred has no desire to be married so he brings his best friend along to the house party and encourages him to tell Sarah lies to make him less attractive to husband hunters. Sarah and Alfred's story is loaded with drama, humor and spice. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to my next book by Cheryl Bolen. His Lady Deceived is book 2 of The Deceived Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Y'all, "His Lady Deceived" let me tell you-
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Like Run DMC says, a novella is tricky, tricky, tricky.
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This Christmas novella is sweet and clean (more of a lime than a lemon, if you're up to date on your fanfic terminology) with an original story line. Knowing his mother is setting him up with the Heroine, our Hero has his peaches of a best friend play two truths and a lie with her (Ok, they didn't actually play this game -that I know of- in the 1800's, but he did have his friend say 2 unfavorable true things and 1 unfavorable false thing to her). The gamble works to poison the Heroine against the Hero only for him to realize that he does in fact want her. Well duh.
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This story does put you in the Christmas spirit, give you a bit of Baby Fever and make you feel toasty fireplace warm on the inside.
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But we all know novella's are tough to instill stomach dropping tension and character development, so we will grade on a curve and not deduct too many points for that.
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Only one thing kinda threw me off and I'll put it to you in a question so you can decide how you feel about this:
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Raise your hand if you would be ok with your brother attending your labor and delivery......
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....aaand crickets.
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Besides that, you should check out this novella of you want a sweet, one night read to get you singing Christmas carols in your head. Or out loud is fine too.
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Alrighty, they've kissed and I told you about it!

Alfred Wickham, heir to a viscountcy, is in no hurry to marry, much to his parent's dismay. He fears his mother will introduce him to another lady at a Christmas house party so he brings his best friend with him and instructs him to tell lies to Lady Sarah Milton so she'll not be interested in him. When he finally meets Lady Sarah he regrets the lies, but can he convince Sarah he's interested in her?

This was a short enjoyable read, but there's not much of an obstacle besides misconceptions keeping these two apart that a conversation would not fix. There's not much depth to the characters and I'm wondering what's going to happen with Alfred's penchant for gambling. A quick read for romance fans.

What a man might when after playing a dangerous game he realizes he has fallen for the woman he wanted to alienate himself from.

I loved the first book from this series, a story about two persons hurting one another by keeping secrets which leaded to misconceiving and distrust.
Here the situation is similar but it is a voluntary game on the hero side to avoid the parsons trap.
Alfred Wickham is not a bad man but he is more interested in his sole pleasure and patterning in the ton society amusements.
Why he resorts to this masquerade.
Sarah Milton has always had a weakness for Alfred but he does even know she exists. And now she learns he is the very kind of man she must avoid at all costs. She longs for a loving husband and motherhood but as years are passing on her, she knows she is reaching an end.
That’s how Alfred finds him trapped when he comes to understand he drove out the one woman who makes his heart beats faster.

It was a fast and short read about two persons who must find past their own misconceptions how to see the other on its better side.
A 4 stars read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. I am truly grateful for that.

This book caught my eye and I don't regret reading it at all. It is a hate-turned-love story which is extremely compelling. If you're after a short, fun and sizzling read, this book is perfect.

Alfred Wickham is a man opposed to marriage. When his mother tries to play the matchmaker with the beautiful and smart, Lady Sarah Milton, Wickham enlists the help of his best friend, Lord Pottinger to turn her against Wickham. Only when his efforts yield results, does he realize that his mother was right, after all. But is it too late?

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Somewhat cute romance, but certainly not love at first sight. Alfred was opposed to marriage and devised a scheme with his friend to sound like he was carrying on with an actress to turn off the young lady his mother wanted to match him with.

Sarah was attracted to Alfred and willing to see if they matched until she found out he was promised to an actress then she flirts with Alfred's best friend. This is part of what I didn't like about this book. After flirting with Potts, he falls for her and asks for her hand in marriage and she rather coldly turns him down.

Alfred finds that Sarah has many traits that he likes as well as very competitive in games so they really do suit. Not sure why she would want to get married to someone with a gambling problem! Also, Sarah never found out that Alfred's mother is paying off his gambling debts by pursuing her, that would be a big problem for me!

Not a lot of depth to any of the characters but if you like a quick, quirky romance to pass the time, this book will pass the time.

This was a lovely sweet story (novella size) and a traditional Regency Historical romance. It was engaging and refreshing and I enjoyed reading the formal style of writing and the very 'proper' English language for a change. Not many books are written in this style these days and the author transported me effortlessly to early 1800's England. Sarah and Alfred's story involved insta-love of course, but it was charmingly done and set in a wintry, snow filled Christmas country environment. There were no steamy romance scenes and I thought Sarah and Alfred were a cute couple. Not much depth of characterization in this, but you don't usually expect that in a shorter story anyway.Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I give this book 3.5 stars. 🙂 I will read more from this author.