There's only one thing I like less than a romance written in first person and that's a historical romance written in first person.

I was quite looking forward to reading this book but unfortunately I just couldn't get into it due to the narrative. DNF at 20%.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Wow! does not begin to do this book justice! This is an incredible book. It starts off with a bang and builds from there. The story is told by Elizabeth Cantrell who finds herself suddenly married to the highwayman/spy, Adrian Torrington. Elizabeth is taken back to Adrian's home, Middlecrest Abby, where she meets his family preparing for his daughter's wedding. When things start to happen, Elizabeth helps Adrian protect her son and her new family. This is such an incredible story, Not only from the mystery and intrigue of the story but also the dynamics of Elizabeth and Adrian's relationship. This book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next. I could not put it down until I had finished it. I loved this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey was a delightful read in many different ways and I am so glad that I got the chance to read it. This is the first book I have read from Abigail Wilson and I see that I will need to catch up on her previous two books with some of the same characters. However, not having read them, I didn't feel like I was missing any information or needed to have read them in order to enjoy Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.

This was a very well thought out regency mystery with well developed characters that pulled you in from the start and you didn't want to stop reading until you finished the book and solved the final puzzle. The plot is unique and refreshing. Some things I could guess, but there were still some twists that you didn't see coming. I can imagine it must've been quite the challenge to create so many characters and backstories, insert clues and mystery, all while the main characters are learning and growing and developing their personal relationship. Abigail Wilson takes you to a time and place that you can almost see for yourself from her descriptive writing. The text was true for the time period and I learned a little bit that about the customs that I hadn't known before.

The "masquerade" is more symbolic and no actual masquerade (ball) takes places. It seems that most of the characters are in some way wearing a mask and have something to hide or overcome. The main characters, Adrain and Elizabeth, were fun to read about and of course Adrian is pretty swoony and seems like the perfect person to have on your side. They had both struggled for so long with their individual past, demons and trust issues that when they get their happily ever after you can't help but be happy for them. Of course, the road to happily ever after is never easy and Adrian and Elizabeth showed how to build and gain trust and work together. Like Elizabeth said, you are actually free when you can let go of pain and fear and I think that's a good lesson to learn from this book.

I recommend this book and enjoyed reading it. I was given a copy in exchange for my review of this book. All opinions stated are honest and my own.

Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are on their way to her new employment when they are accosted on the way by a highwayman, causing her carriage to crash. Only - things are not as they appear. The highwayman is none other than the brother to her absent son's father, Lord Adrian Torrington, who happens to be a spy for the crown. To save her reputation when she falls unconscious, Lord Torrington claims Elizabeth is his wife. Soon after, he procures a special license to wed and whisks both her and her son away to Middlecrest Abbey. But when the fiance to Lord Torrington's daughter is murdered, the house is thrown into upheaval. Will the find the culprit in time?

This book hooks readers right from the start. You have murder, mystery, and romance all combined into this amazing book. Abigail Wilson keeps us on our toes throughout and you will not know who the culprit is until the very end! What a delightful read, I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Wilson.

This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

WOW!! This book is absolutely amazing in every way! It is suspenseful, romantic, and hooks you from the very first sentence to the last. Every time I picked up "Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey", I felt like I was whisked away back to Regency Era England, and felt like I was a part of the story.

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Wilson, and I can't wait to read many more! She writes in such a way that all of the characters, events, conversations, interactions, and descriptions, etc. feel incredibly real, vivid, and authentic. I found myself very clearly able to envision the characters and locations throughout the novel.

If you love Regency romance, historical mystery, and / or historical fiction books, I HIGHLY recommend this novel! I did not want to put it down, and found myself wanting to find out what happened chapter after chapter. The book keeps you guessing with clues along the way, and there were MANY twists and turns I did not see coming. My mouth definitely fell open quite a few times.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of this book, I absolutely loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I inhaled this story. From page one I was hooked. Richly layered — even when I anticipated where the story was headed, I enjoyed it

A rousing regency era romp full of unexpected twists and turns, Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, was as enjoyable as it was entertaining. Abigail Wilson’s characters were fun to get to know, and I found myself looking forward to seeing what would happen next. I recommend you get a copy of this book, a nice cup of tea and sit back as you revel in the mystery and romance of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

If you love a good gothic romance, you will love this book. Adrian is a widower with a complicated past. He encounters Elizabeth after he causes a carriage accident as part of a covert intelligence mission. Elizabeth is a young unmarried mother. Her family was part of the ton - but is now disgraced with her brother in prison for smuggling and her pregnancy. In a collision of difficult circumstances Adrian and Elizabeth marry. Adrian takes Elizabeth back to his estate - just in time for his 18 year-old daughters wedding. A series of mysterious and unfortunate events occur from that point forward.

Adrian is really a good man. He has a very complicated history - but one you come to understand. Elizabeth was hurt badly and is understandably wary of the situation. But I liked her sensible nature and toughness.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I had a few quibbles with minor plot points, but overall this was an enjoyable quick read!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own!

Elizabeth Cantrell is astonished when her carriage is attacked by a highwayman. She is even more astonished when she discovers that the highwayman is in fact Lord Adrian Torrington. He confided his true intentions and asks for her help in exchange for preserving her reputation and providing for her son. As the pros outweigh the cons, she agrees to become Lady Torrington. But has she just put herself in more danger?

This was...a complicated read. Parts of it, I really liked. Elizabeth was an interesting character. An unmarried woman with a child is bound to bring censure on herself, and she does what she thinks is best for her small family. Lord Torrington was a nice counterpoint to her, mysterious but kind.

At the same time, while I could see the attraction between them, romance and love felt like a stretch. The plot felt like it dragged and there were several times where I was bored. I didn't find the scenario likely. I guessed the "villain" early on so it didn't come as a surprise. I know I had an ARC, so I really hope it gets a final edit. At times there were words that didn't seem like they meant what the author felt they meant.

Overall, it was an alright read. I would probably read this author again. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

I have been on the best reading streak ever this week! I LOVED this book. Man, Abigail Wilson just gets better and better! I really enjoyed her debut novel (In the Shadow of Croft Towers)...I loved her second one (Midnight on the River Grey)...and this one is my favorite yet. It was atmospheric and romantic and just gothic enough to completely whisk me away without anything feeling melodramatic or overdone. The premise was intriguing from the opening pages and really, the whole story just completely beguiled me. Couple notes:

-HOLLA for an older hero. LOVE that about Lord Torrington.
-There were hints of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier in this, so I couldn't help watching the Hitchcock movie over the weekend...yay for remembering how fantastic that movie is!
-I will never ever get tired of well-executed marriage of convenience stories!

Considering I've loved every Abigail Wilson story more than the last, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was blown away by the plot of this book that it was shockingly great, I could not stop reading it. The backgrounds of each of the characters and their relationship to one another seriously was important to the plot and made it important for the reader to understand. The story of Lord Torrington and what was at stake for him and his introduction to Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son totally was way out of the box thinking for this genre which made the story even more appealing. Forced to keep secrets of their identities and live a lie, Elizabeth and Lord Torrington will do whatever it takes to catch the enemy and end the war, even if it means going way beyond their comfort zone and risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones. I could not stop reading this book and the popularity of our Christian Fiction collection will continue to grow.

We will consider adding this title to our Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

** Sigh ** What can I say other then . . . What a splendid story full of action and intrigue, mystery and suspense, longing and love. It's a clean regency historic read that throws you straight into the action and drama of the storyline as Elizabeth wakes up in her overturned carriage to her baby crying. She looks up and discovers the man trying to help her from the accident is none other than the highwayman who caused it. Can you say nightmare?!?
It only gets better from there as it is uncovered that the highwayman is is really an undercover spy and since he kinda ruined her already sullied reputation, her proposes marriage (I promise it makes more sense in the book). From here, it a case of murder by poisoning, attempted murder, several threats, and a kidnapping that follow this short marriage. But what may have started out as a shield against the naysayers, soon turns into something more as both Elizabeth and Adrian learn to trust each other and heal from their pasts.
It's a great blend of who-done-it and historic romance, action and suspense. The characters are on point and I feel my heart yearning for these characters to have "something real". Silly, I know, but great book make you feel so I call it a win.

** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. **

I've been waiting for Torrington's book after the first two books and it an absolutely incredible and fantastic book!

In this book, we know both the main characters as secondary characters from previous books, and what great characters they are! Elizabeth is awesome, she's kind but still feisty in a way that wants to get to the bottom of the mystery to keep those she loves (and is starting to love) safe. Adrian is fantastic too as we get to know him, fearless until those he cares about are in danger and kindhearted in ways that become clear as the book progresses.

The mystery itself was well done. I did guess correctly who was behind it toward the middle of the book but that didn't take away any enjoyment of reading the book, as with the previous two, Abigail Wilson's strengths as a writer are the details of the plot and her characterizations. Spot on here, including with her mostly lovely secondary characters. There are some nicely done historical elements making it clear it's set during the Regency period; accurate historical details are always a plus in historical fiction/mysteries. The message of forgiveness was lovely but not overbearing if that's not your cup of tea.

One continuity thing I noticed only because I just finished a re-read of 'Midnight on the River Grey' before I read this (my memory isn't that good!) is Torrington was an Earl in that book, here he's a Baron.

Abigail Wilson has become an absolutely must-read author for me and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

I really enjoyed Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And y'all, it was worth the wait. This Victorian era tale included mystery, danger, and what I loved the most was a marriage of convenience. Wonderful characters and great plot. I recommend to all history loving romance readers.
4.5 stars
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers and this is my honest opinion.