The best of the series.

Hands down,, The Marquess Makes His Move is the best of the series.
This book has such great character depth and yes, its sweet, sexy and a little bit angsty.
Brandon is interesting, which is far superior to a boring, old rake. Instead, Brandon is smart, sensitive, caught between two worlds and entirely himself.

Rose has been wronged by both her husband and Brandon. Though, she reacts much more harshly to Brandon than her husband and makes him pay for his misdeeds, while letting her husband off with nary a retribution.
Still, I enjoyed this book immensely and read it in two sittings.
Highly recommend.

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a decent amount, especially with the side characters

Should I read in order?
It would be pleasant to read in order, as characters from the 2 previous books do make appearances. There are a few short scenes with this hero in the prior books too. Still, you would probably be fine picking this one up on its own.

Basic plot:
Brandon is determined to find out what’s going on with the plot to take some of his land by moving land borders. He goes undercover to the map makers house and applies for a footman position to collect information.

Give this a try if you want:
- I’m assuming this is Regency around 1816-1818? I didn’t see a date but I have book 2 marked as 1816
- Medium steam – there’s 3 full scenes and plenty of kisses, but it didn’t quite hold the heat of some of her other novels I’ve read
- Diversity lifted up – an Arab hero that shares his culture, family and food customs throughout the story – I also loved that the heroine had Arab heritage with her grandparents
- Class difference/forbidden love feel – the hero is the heroine’s footman at first, but really the heroine is a tradeswoman and the hero a marquess
- Secret identity trope
- Working women – heroine is a cartographer


My thoughts:
Sadly, this book had a few plot devices that really aren’t my thing, and they ended up bothering me a bit. But I liked this book more than book 2 (Book 1 is still my favorite of the series). I am loving the general world building here and the family members interacting together.

In this story, there are quite a few secrets going on. And the heroine is with her husband (who is NOT the hero) for a good 30% of the book before things start to unravel (and it wasn’t how I was expecting it to go! So that was refreshing, in a way).

Brandon is being tricked out of some important land when a map is commissioned on the property lines – there’s been some strategic changes that remove a water sources important for his tenants and property. Instead of causing a scene, he goes undercover and applies to be a footman in the house of the mapmaker. It leads to some funny scenarios, like the heroine having to brush out her own skirts after he does it because as a Marquess, he has no idea how to do footman duties.

Rose has such a unique talent and career – she’s a cartographer and draws and creates maps. Of course in this world run by men, she cannot even claim her talents as her own and has even turned control of her shop over to her husband for the most part.

I loved Rose in the beginning. She was strong and I so was rooting for her to gain independence from her husband and be able to fully embrace her talents and not have to hide them.

As the story went on though, I was weighed down. Waiting a very long time for the drama with her husband to be resolved diminished the romance between Brandon and Rose for me. There are a lot of secrets. And hurt, and hiding, and accusing. And I thought it was unfair, really both of them made bad decisions but it just drug on a bit too long for me. Rose’s character kind of took a turn I wasn’t expecting. She spent a lot of time feeling sorry for herself and angry at Brandon and it got frustrating after awhile (I’m all for the needed breakdown after an event like that – she just seemed like such a go-getter though I wasn’t expecting this from her character I guess)

I was also really disappointed in the intimate scenes here. I’m not sure what happened for me, but there was something about them that just didn’t have that passion and emotional grab that I found in the first book.

I adore the cover and think it’s lovely.

This was a very exciting read by one of my favorite authors. Ms Quincy writes with a talent that is sure to please many readers. The characters were well developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. This is the third in the series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Rose Fleming is her family's mapmaker but she can't let anyone know, since it would be a scandal if anyone found out. She is the brains and talent that keeps her family afloat. She likes her job, but sometimes she wished for more control of the business.
When a new footman is hired, he is too handsome for his own good. With dark looks and beautiful eyes, he seems more than what he appears.
The new footman is really half Arab, The Marquess of Brandon. He is there to find out about why his lands were stolen from him in India. He will stop at nothing to get back what is his.
But Rose is finding it hard to concentrate on business, when a snoop of a footmen is around. Brandon is tempted by the lady who could mess up his plans on retribution.
There seems to be an attraction that leads to love. Can Brandon really give up his quest or will he let Rose into his heart forever?
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

’ve received an ARC of this book for an honest review. While I loved the other two books in this series, this story didn’t really click with me. I liked the mysterious Alex, Marquess of Brandon, from previous books and was hoping to learn more about him. I think the premise was just too far-fetched. It was hard to believe a Marquess would masquerade as a footman, especially when he did such a bad job at it and didn’t even try to change his accent or his attitude. Why didn’t hire someone else instead to find the proof that the mapmaker R. Fleming was cheating him? Also, I couldn’t really identify with Rose, she seemed somewhat weak and naive and wouldn’t stand up for herself against her husband until Alex came into her life.

I did enjoy the middle section of the book when Alex and Rose were working together and she was trying to get her shop back from her husband. And it was great seeing Alex’s Levantine relatives again.

Unfortunately the ending became a bit anticlimactic to me, especially a short part about a note that was resolved very quickly and seemed to just be there to create tension. And the punishment for the villain seemed way over the top and a bit excessive.

I've been waiting for this book since I finished the second book in the series. I loved this book. I thought it was so much fun, deep darkness in the backstories/mystery and refreshing characters. This is the third novel in Diana Quincy's Clandestine Affairs series. It can be read as a stand alone but the characters from previous novels are present throughout.

Alexander Worthington, Marquess of Brandon, has many rumors going around about town. They aren't true of course. Many of them springing from racism against his Arabic heritage. This novel focuses around how he was tricked by a mapmaker and must get to the bottom of the deception. Alex disguises himself as a new footman in Fleming's home. With help from a young boy he learns to play footman, how servants are treated and falls in love with Rose Fleming.

Rose Fleming is a great character. Raised and trained by her father, she is a brilliant cartoghraper. Her husband has been abusive toward her and is keeping her away from the business she inherited. She goes through quite a journey of revelations in this novel. I appreciate how Quincy handles Rose's mental and physical health.

I loved the mysteries and secrets in this story. The romantic scenes are spicy! Read for the bathtub scene. I thought that Alex's secret could have been revealed much sooner but all in all these aren't characters and situations we normally read about in historical romance. And I'm here for it! Can't wait for more by Quincy.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ooooh this was fun! Alex, the reclusive Duke of Brandon has been swindled out of his land by a shady neighbor due to a falsely drawn map. His next move, infiltrate the mapmaker’s home as a footman to get proof that the map had been drawn in bad faith. He never expected to be so drawn to the mapmaker’s wife Rose or have to drink used tea leaves, shine shoes, or eat scraps.

I really enjoyed this. Rose our female lead, was so good. Her chemistry with Alex was hot and I liked the way it built organically. It was very believable. Her reactions to the mess that also occurred with her husband touched me so much. It just drove home once again how much women really gave/give up to marriage. I am happy she got her HEA.

The secondary characters were also so fun. I enjoyed the banter between the servants when Alex was still a part of them. I loved Owen and his smart mouth and Dudley made me laugh so much when he became Alex’s valet and gave him marital advice.

Another lovely installment to the series.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is different!
Alexander Worthington, Marquess of Brandon, goes undercover as a footman to find a map. Shady doings over a map drawn of a property line diverts water that belongs on his country property. Rose Fleming inherited her uncle's map making business. Rose herself creates the maps, but her husband takes all the credit. The more Alex is in the household, the more things don't add up, nevermind the attraction and heat growing between Alex and Rose. One unexpected turn after another draws to a very interesting conclusion.
VERY entertaining characters from below stairs, above stairs and family.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I loved this book so much that I couldn't put it down! The Marquess Makes His Move is the third book in the Clandestine Affairs series and my favorite of the three. I was so happy to finally get to find out more about the mysterious Marquess of Brandon.

You should read this book if you like the hidden identity trope. I personally love it! Alex, The Marquess of Brandon disguises himself as a footman and gets a job in the Fleming home. He believes that Roger Fleming is conspiring with his neighbor to cheat him out of a piece of his land. Soon he's more interested in Rose Fleming than anything else.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the diversity and the plot of a Marquis posing as a footman was so clever. I really enjoyed the scenes between Alex and the downstairs staff. That was perhaps my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed Rose and like her banter with Alex. I wanted a bit more nuance in the two villains in the story, especially the second one. Overall, an enjoyable read and one I would recommend.

Alexander Worthington, the Marquess of Brandon is furious, part of his country estate, Highfield has been stolen from him by way of a fraudulent map. He needs proof that his neighbor, Charles Canning conspired with Roger Fleming, the mapmaker, and decides to take a position as a footman in Fleming’s home to find evidence. But what he found was Fleming’s wife Rose, who captivated him from the start which makes his plans for revenge on Fleming much harder, since he doesn’t want Rose to suffer. And as much as he desires Rose, nothing can come of it and he has a title to consider. A title that the ton believes was tarnished by his Arab mother, so Alex is also seeking revenge from the ton by courting the diamond of the season. If all goes as planned, Alex will recover his stolen land and marry the Duke of Kingsley’s daughter. But there are things Alex doesn’t know and secrets that will change everything…

Rose Fleming is London’s premier mapmaker, but no one knows it, everyone believes that her husband Roger is the creator of the wonderfully detailed maps, something that grates at her. Rose learned the art from her uncle and inherited the business from him when he passed. Roger was an engraver and surveyor working for them and someone her uncle wanted her to marry. So within weeks of his demise, Roger convinced Rose that no one would buy maps from a woman and formed a plan, they would marry and he would assume the title of the mapmaker. Knowing he was right about society’s views of women, she agreed and at first, all was well, but soon Roger stopped coming to her bed and made it clear that he didn’t want children, leaving Rose alone and hurt. But things began to look up when Alex joined their household, clearly he is not an experienced footman, but she likes him and they soon form a friendship, and though she feels something for him she has never felt before, she is a married woman and nothing can come of it. But when the first of many secrets are revealed, hope springs to life in her heart before the reality of the revelation sets in and more secrets come to light, making HEA seem like an unobtainable dream.

This book was much more than I was expecting, it is just as well-written and well-researched as the previous books, but there is a lot more going on and a lot more angst than the other books. The chemistry between Rose and Alex is undeniable and fairly sizzles on the page, the secrets are shocking and some a bit unsettling. I liked the idea of the story, but I was a bit disappointed when Rose had a complete personality change when she learned of Alex’s deception, it seemed hypocritical considering she had been keeping secrets too. But in the end, I liked how everything works out and that readers are treated to an epilogue that shows not only their HEA but those of the previous characters. This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I loved this book! It had such a surprising twist and it was delivered expertly. There was so much depth to this story, and I really enjoyed Alex as the undercover footman and that he was literally awakened to the plight of those that worked downstairs. Although Rose was horribly deceived by her husband she never gave up and finally ended up with her HEA!

This is my second Diana Quincy book (I read Her Night with the Duke a few months ago) and I really liked it! As with the first book in this series, it is pretty wild with quite a few twists and turns! But I was totally entertained and read this in almost a day. Alex Worthington, a Marquess, is being cheated out of land and a water source, so he poses as a footman in the mapmaker's household, to try to figure out the who/what/source of the theft.
Rose Fleming is the wife of the mapmaker, but is actually the cartographer. Her husband has essentially stolen her inherited business and poses as the cartographer, and refuses to let her have anything to do with her own business. What happens between Rose and her husband is pretty wild, but pretty predictable, and totally interesting.
I loved Alex and his family-- I love how Diana Quincy has given us readers representation in her heroes and heroines! I loved reading about the food and Alex's family, as well as how Alex, his sister (in the first of the series), cousin (second in the series) feel not accepted by their Middle Eastern family and not accepted by British society. That is something a lot of us can relate to, and it was such a refreshing read.
Alex and Rose's story is pretty sweet, and their chemistry was fantastic! While I liked a little drama, I wanted to hear more about the two of them together. I think that is a hallmark of a good couple, when you want a longer epilogue!

Quincy never disappoints!
I thought I loved that previous two books in this series but The Marquess Makes His Move knocked it out of the park.
There's a revenge mission, a heroine in disguise, mapmaking, secrets, lies and undeniable attraction. What more could I want the Clandestine Affairs series? The heroine was a baddie. She's the brains behind her family's mapmaking business which makes it so unfortunate that she has to hide her true identity in order to be successful. This romance is also interesting since the heroine is already married at the beginning of the novel. That's certainly a first for me in a historical romance. Usually the previous spouse is deceased before anything romantic happens with the love interest. It certainly intrigued me.
The misunderstandings were prolonged but they made sense. Besides that, the ending is very satisfying.

This was a fantastic historical romance, that I really enjoyed reading! (I also thought the premise was unique!) Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

I really liked this story. It was funny, witty and exciting. I laughed out loud quite a bit with the dialog between Alex and Owen. I admired how Alex realized that the servants were not always treated the best and he did something about it. Rose being a cartographer was so very interesting and very out of the norm for a Regency romance. The relationship between Alex the footman and Rose was very sweet. It was a little slow for me for some of the middle parts but the overall story is worthy of reading. So is Rafi going to get his own story? I hope so.

This book sizzles and is the slow burn we all love in a historical romance novel. I loved the tightly wound events in this that allow for the hero and heroine to be together. When you first dive into the book, you meet the Marchess of Brandon, Alexander Worthington, and witness the lengths he will go through to right a wrong that London's finest mapmaker, R. Fleming, has committed. Little does he know that the mapmaker is not the man he thinks it is, but rather a woman, Rose Fleming.

I greatly appreciated the way Rose's solidarity and loneliness in her marriage were described at the beginning of the book.
"Longing panged through her. Rose missed having true physical contact with another person. Even just to embrace."
I loved the way that Alex stands by Rose's side while under the guise of her new footman. Alex and Rose have a mutual infatuation with one another and their connection is what holds the reader through the confusion of whether or not Rose is married and what in the world is going to happen?!

I have read the first book in this series, which made me familiar with Alex, but it can obviously be read as a stand-alone without a hitch. I loved every minute of this book and would gladly welcome more to this series!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above opinions are of my own.

4/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I had some mixed feelings about this book. There were lots of up's and down's for me. I enjoyed both of the main characters Alex and Rose. I liked their chemistry a lot however the beginning of the book took me a while to really get into. It was slow and a little boring. As the story started picking up I began to really enjoy myself more. Overall I had a great time watching the romance between Rose and Alex bloom. I completely recommend anything by Diana Quicny!

I absolutely adored this novel! Since the first book in the series I have been so excited to get Alex's book and this did not disappoint. Diana Quincy starts this book of with intrigue and I was like how are we going to get an HEA out of this book! The plot is reminiscent of a well mapped out Lorraine Heath novel and I was along for the ride! Quincy's writing is extremely engaging, I was immediately draw into the story. The novel is very well paced and I was constantly interest in how things were going to work out for our couple. The characters are so beautifully realized and rooted in truths that make them so compelling and interesting. The situations that they find themselves in are charming, heart breaking and ultimately so rewarding. I would so highly recommend that you pick up this novel, it is fantastic. I also believe that even though this can be read as a standalone you will get so much more out of it if you read this series in order.

Alex-the marquess of Brandon, who is half Arab, keeps himself pretty separate from society, so many people are unaware of what he looks like. When he is being cheated out of some of him property after a famous mapmaker has created a map of his property and the boarding property that is inaccurate. Alex decides to go undercover in the mapmaker's household as a footman, hoping to unearth evidence. Alex was not expecting to be placed as the footman for the lady of the house, Rose Flemming, whose family started the mapmaking business as well as she harbors a secret about her involvement in the map making. These two find themselves drawn to the other but there are many obstacles and secrets that bar the way.

Alex starts out this novel with revenge on his mind, he wants his land back and he wants to prove to society that his heritage means nothing when it comes to the value of his title. Watching Alex open up and gain an understanding of the working class is truly wonderful. Alex becomes more open about what a caring employer he is as well as he begins to learn and better understand what he finds important when it comes to society and who he is at the heart of himself. Rose is a hardworking woman, she might seem complicit at time but as she learns the truth around her she stands on her own feet with a great strength and understanding of what her life might become. Alex and Rose spark a friendship that is built on trust and understanding and companionship. They both have Arab heritage which helps them to open up to each other and find a companion. They also learn that they work really well together. Of course, there are misunderstandings and secrets that arise, but watching how these two work through them is heartening that they are going to create a strong foundation for their love to continue to grow. This novel has a delightful level of steam that is on the medium side, but works perfectly within the confines of this novel. I think that Alex and Rose have a really lovely chemistry that is built through their friendship and in the end I was absolutely heart warmed by their romance that is finally allowed to fully bloom. Another wonderful strength of this novel is the gentle way that Diana weaves in Arab words and traditions. It is done with a lovely level of care that gives the reader a really wonderful experience and beginnings of an understanding of a different culture.

I found this novel to be absolutely endearing, I love the ups and downs that I had to traverse in order to get to the very rewarding outcome. This was a wonderful installment in this series, I have absolutely adored every novel and I think that this one is my absolute favorite. So, I very highly recommend reading this novel, I would also recommend reading in order, this novel has so wonderful appearance from past characters and knowing there stories and how they intertwine with this novel is very rewarding.

Will his deceit harm their burgeoning romance …

After the previous book, I was even more curious about Alex.
I love how the author shares her roots with history, how every step is a challenge when you do not conform to a mold.
I can understand Brandon needs to show off to the ton, after being rejected, subjected to their spite, he feels he must do better than them.
But first he has to reinstitute his land’s right, being swindled is another slight to his name and honor. One he won’t let pass.
So here he is, masquerading as a footman to enter the household of the man behind the loss of his land.
Rose like many women of her era has to hide she is the talent behind the family business, so she complies and bends to her husband’s demands, even if she does not agree with him. Without her spouse’s name, she is repeatedly told, she would not be able to hold on her family’s legacy for being a woman.
But as a new footman shows her more respect and kindness than the man she pledged her life to, her life takes an expected turn when secrets and betrayals are revealed.

I confess I was surprised, it is not often an heroine is married at the opening of a romance book, and as my assumptions turned right, the real threat they face is themselves. Why I expected the second shoes to drop at any moment, you know that something which would come up but you still have to determine when.
From the beginning they are drawn to one another but their present situations, differences of status and his deceit make them being together an impossible feat except for one option.
An entertaining and lovely romance of two people who must choose between heart and reason when their trust in themselves and the other is damaged.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I've enjoyed this whole series, but I think this one is my favorite. Alex and Rose were both great, and were especially great together. Despite all the intrigue, betrayals, etc. there was a lot of humor in the story too, and I avidly read it with a smile on my face. I liked how Alex and Rose both grew to understand and express their true selves individually over the course of their growth as a couple. Seeing the characters from previous books and interacting with Alex's family was another aspect of the book that really made me smile. I had a few small quibbles:<spoiler>How the heck did Fleming, a commoner with no money, get a special license? Impossible. And would an intelligent woman like Rose *really* not know that Alex wasn't who he claimed to be? Would have liked to see her more clearly rationalize his obvious inconsistencies.</spoiler> But these didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book. Solid 4.5 stars