Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much!! Even though there is not one iota of suspense, I couldn't put it down! This book is part of a series, but can also be read as a stand alone; however,I would highly recommend the previous books because they give you a better appreciation for Olive's cousins. I loved both Olive and Maxfield and the supporting characters made the story perfect. This book is the perfect blend of humor and romance and I know it's one I will reread over and over. Overall,I wish I could give it more, but I give it 5 out of 5 stars!!!

I received this book to read and review - all opinions are my own

I'm so glad Olive got her own story.  I had gotten glimpses of her in Proposing Mischief and was impressed by the self-taught architect.

Olive and Maxfield were perfect for each other though of course, they couldn't see it at first.

She showed him the importance of living through your grief while he showed her that grieving someone doesn’t mean your life is over.

And Maxfield's children were adorable!

Readers will be reminded that God has a plan which includes even the painful messy parts of our lives.

Engaging Deception is the third book in The Joplin Chronicles but can be read as a standalone.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Read a more in-depth review at:
https://aminatacoote.com/engaging-deception-review/

Oh, how I loved this book. Regina Jennings is back with a novel that tells the story of a heroine who has forgotten to live and a hero who won't slow down to feel. They end of in each other's orbit, because as a widower, he needs her help with the kids while he's courting another woman. She needs access to his library so she can learn from his many architecture books. What he doesn't realize is they're competing against each other for work. I loved every page and highly recommend it!

I read the synopsis for this book and had to read it. I knew going into it it was a book 3 in a series, but I wanted to read it bad enough that that didn't deter me from starting it ASAP. I'm happy to report that I easily followed along with all side characters. There were mentions of previous characters from books, but it didn't take away from, or confuse me in any way.

This book was highly entertaining! I loved the main characters so much-they were both so well developed and their character arcs while similar, we're different enough that it was fun to see each of them grown in their own way and then compliment and help the other. Such great writing!

The banter in this was incredible and flowed really well with all main characters and side characters. I definitely want to go back and read books 1 and 2 and hope they are just as amazing as this one was. The time period was one I don't read a lot of, but enjoyed. The setting was descriptive and felt true to the time period.

I really can't say enough good things about this one. If you like snappy banter, a little bit of mistaken identity, grumpy/sunshine, single parent, lady boss tropes you should definitely check this one out!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

4.5

This was a delightfully fun read with all of the usual antics of the Kentworth cousins – Amos in particular stole the show. I would have loved it for the story itself. But additionally, I really connected with the faith messages in the story; I have a lot of “amens” written after the highlights portions, haha. The message about things not happening willy-nilly and God being the designer of your life was particularly timely for me personally and hit it’s mark head on.

There are themes of loss, healing and moving forward. And since it is the love story of a widower, I really appreciated that this book didn’t do a disservice to marriage (like so many others do) by presenting the first marriage as seriously lacking (ie being an arranged one, there being infidelity or major disconnects, or it just being a loveless marriage, etc). Maxfield really loved his first wife and I loved the way Willow respected and made space for it. So well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet read, highly recommend! And if you haven’t read the others in the series, go back and start with those!

Engaging Deception is the third book in the Joplin series. While you don’t have to read the first two books they will introduce you to the full cast of characters and Olive herself makes an earlier appearance in those novels.

Reginna Jennings writes books that stand on the line between an easy Sunday afternoon read and a book of deep substance. The author is able to keep a light, humorous, easy reading tone while including deeper subject matter. In the case of Engaging Deception the heart of the book was actually about grief and loss, followed by a theme of being who you are without apology or ego.

Olive loves architecture. She is self taught, but gifted. Part of the novel is Olive’s journey from deception to owning her place as an architect despite her lack of education and her gender. Another part of the novel is Max learning to let go of the ego he has built around his name and reputation.

But even more, both Olive and Max are caught in their grief. Olive’s strategy is to hide and Max throws himself into endless engagement and distraction. Together they must discover what it looks like to learn to live through the pain rather than to pretend it isn’t a part of life. I found this aspect of the book stirred up a lot of deeper thoughts in my own life, which is one of the reasons I love fiction. Stories can sneak in sideways and all of a sudden you are thinking about your own life and circumstances in a new light.

I enjoyed this novel and was actually surprised how much it impacted me despite the light and easy manner of story telling. I recommend it to you.

I received a free copy of this novel for review and I’m giving you my honest opinion.

This was such a delightful read!

Olive becomes a nanny to widower and renowned architect Mayfield Scott... who doesn't know Olive's secret aspiration to become an architect herself. She has in fact already designed and built several buildings but everyone believes it was her cousin Amos who was the brains behind it all. When Olive takes on a project renovating a building Maxfield designed just as the two begin to develop feelings for each other, the situation becomes tense and Olive stands to lose everything if she takes the risk of pursuing her dream.

Tis has the humor and wit I have come to expect in a Regina Jennings book without shying away from tougher topics like grief and both main characters had excellent story arcs. The story was well-paced and kept me glued to the pages and oh, the romance was so sweet! And holy cow, that first kiss was so fantastically perfect and the lake scene was both hilarious and swoony!!

Fans of Regina Jennings are sure to love this one as well as anyone who enjoys witty historical fiction with a light faith element. I have not read the first two books in the series but this can easily be read as a standalone and I loved this one so much I definitely want to go back and read the others!

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.

This book was hard for me to get into. I felt like the same things were said over and over. I didn’t feel a connection between the two main characters and it was hard to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It was such a treat to travel back to Joplin again and see what shenanigans the Kentworth cousins have been up to. Engaging Deception stars Olive Kentworth who seems to be a little more sedate and diligent than some of her other cousins. Now that doesn’t mean her life isn’t going to have some turmoil thrown into it. Author Regina Jennings is a master at creating amusing situations in which to embroil her characters. Olive has been a caretaker for her mother during her terminal illness, but she also has been hiding her budding architectural talents. When she takes a position as a nanny for her idol, famed architect and widower Maxfield Scott, things get a little complicated. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between these two characters change and grow. A fantastic cast of secondary characters make the tale even more delightful. Cousin Amos is the best, and I’d love to see a story about him.

With lots of intrigue, adventure, wit and humor, and a dose of romance this story has much to recommend it. I absolutely adore this author’s sense of humor and fun. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but to get the full effect of this delightful family, the reader will want to read the first two books also. I recommend this to those who enjoy clean and wholesome historical fiction with a light faith element.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was great. It was so interesting to me that Olive was a self-trained architect but she was afraid to let anyone know. She didn't want the credit. She was content to let her cousin Amos get all the praise for her work. It was fun watching Olive blossom as she took advantage of the opportunities that came her way.

Maxfield was an interesting character as well. One scene at the lake was particularly funny and it made me root for him all the more. I was glad he came to understand his grief better.

The whole Joplin series was delightful. It was fun encountering cousins from other books. I'd like to see a book about Amos in the future. He seems to be a real character.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

It’s always fun to reconnect with the Kentworth family, they are bright, talented and a few have a few quirks. This is the story of Olive Kentworth, one of the less quirky, characters and one with the biggest secrets. Olive has a strong interest in architecture which is an unobtainable goal given the time period, she isn’t about to let any obstacles stand in her way as she pursues her dreams, even if it means having cousin Amos pretend to be the builder of a home expansion job she accepts.

There are several funny and clever parts to this story, especially when Olive agrees to be a nanny to the children of Maxwell Scott, an actual and well-known architect. Between caring for the children and sneaking peaks at the plethora of reading she finds in Maxwells office, she is learning quite a lot. I loved seeing the change in both characters as well as catching up the characters I have grown so fond of in this trilogy. I love this authors work which is why I highly recommend reading this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Loved this one! Cannot think of a single book where the female protagonist has an architectural interest, nay passion. I loved that difference. The faith in this book was very well done and enjoyable.

During her mother’s long illness, Olive Kentworth stayed at home, content to serve her family and explore her passion for architecture away from society’s censorious eye. Gently bred women should have no interest in math, let alone designing buildings. Only her immediate family knows her secret, and Olive means to keep it that way.

She’s gone to great lengths to ensure her talent stays secret. The town of Joplin boasts two of her designs, but she convinced her cousin Amos to pose as the architect and builder. A perfect solution. She hesitates when her family urges her to take on another project to help her work through her grief. After all, who could improve on a Maxfield Scott design?

When Olive’s cousin ropes her into babysitting a parishioner’s children—another family ploy to help her—Olive finds herself at Mr. Scott’s home. His children adore her (and she them). And Olive will do just about anything to spend time in Mr. Scott’s library—a treasure trove of architectural tomes.

Maxfield Scott can’t believe one of his former clients has hired an unknown builder to add to the custom home Maxfield built for him. Even worse, his current client keeps asking for changes—slowing down the project and frustrating both Maxfield and his client’s wife. Although his life seems firmly in control, Maxfield soon realizes he’s only built an elaborate house of cards. His children need to spend more time with him, his babysitter can’t replace his deceased wife, and his new competitor seems more like a buffoon than a builder.

His only bright moments come when he walks the new babysitter home. Can he hide his growing feelings?

How much longer can Olive hide her talents? And what would men like Maxfield think of an untrained architect as a rival?

What I Loved About This Book

Readers can enjoy Engaging Deception, the third installment in The Joplin Chronicles, as a standalone novel (but the first two books are worth reading). Jennings creates memorable characters and incorporates historical details that history buffs will love.

Most of all, I love how Jennings shows us the value of self-acceptance. Maxfield and Olive don’t stand a chance with each other until they take the time to accept themselves and their God-given talents. In a world full of FOMO, comparison, and social media, it's a lesson I need to hear over and over.

Fans of Jen Turano and Grace Hitchcock will enjoy Engaging Deception.

Loved this one! I normally stay away from widower tropes, but this one was absolutely adorable. There were times I wanted to smack Maxfield, especially during his time of courting another woman, but the fact that I had that strong of a reaction attests to the author's talent. Olive and Maxfield's architectural ability is quite impressive and so much fun reading about.

Lost me at the first use of “welp.” Doesn’t work with the story or the setting. Beyond that, I didn’t care for the characters at all. Just not the story for me.

I've enjoyed the past two reads in this series, and this was no exception. It can be read alone, there are recurring characters, but you will be hooked with this author's delightful writing style!

This is a read about a young woman with a big heart, and a beautiful gift, a bit of a recluse, but she had to be to take care of her ill mother. How did she spend her bedside time? Well she read, and not what most people would choose, but they spoke to her, and her God given gift!

Then we have a man who has had his life shattered when he lost his young wife. He has two young children, and has just now, almost reluctantly, started to date.

Life throws these two together, and sparks fly, but also revelations that have the power to split everything wide open! Then throw in some mega rich fellows that need their egos scratched by having the largest home in Joplin, MO!

Page turner for sure, and I hate that the series has ended, but looking for more by Regina Jennings!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Once again, I really enjoyed Ms. Jennings writing style. This book put it to the test because life got crazy for me and while I normally would start and finish a book in a 24-36 hour time period I kept getting interrupted and it took me much longer. Every time I picked it back up I'd think, "Now where was I in this story?...." But within a paragraph I was pulled right back in remembering details of what had happened prior to the latest interruption. Despite all my life disruptions the story felt like it had continuity. I appreciated that. And I enjoyed the story.
It was fun to see a female architect and even more fun that she was self taught. What a smart, gifted character. I liked the characters in this story. It was a fun, entertaining read.

Mild Christian themes
Potential trigger: Loss of loved one
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary ARC through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I have always enjoyed Regina Jennings stories. Engaging Deception is the third book in the Joplin series. I found it to be a little different than I thought.

Olive Kentworth loves to design buildings The trouble is, in the last century women just did not do that. She has designed buildings using her cousin as a cover. But when she meets widower Maxfield Scott, a highly trained architect, she becomes involved with him by becoming the nanny for his children while he escorts his lady friend. She uses the time to study books from his library.

Although Maxfield is courting the daughter of one of his clients, he finds himself drawn to Olive.

This story was a unique twist. Olive's interest in architecture was not a subject that most women would find terribly interesting. But Ms Jennings always puts her spin of compelling characters, adventurous family members, and witty dialogue. And always a clean read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley and the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
Truly; I started it this afternoon and now it's 11pm as I wrap up. I really enjoyed getting to visit Joplin again. While this is Olive and Maxfield's story I cannot get enough of Olive's cousin, Amos. He is so much, laugh out loud fun.
"I’ll strut around like an important architect, and I’ll say whatever gibberish happens to come to mind, but you can write down what you need.”If there was one thing Amos was serious about, it was being ornery."
I liked the easy progression of this story and what brought the characters together. The details of Joplin and architecture as seen through Olive and Maxfield's eyes were intriguing.
While this is the end of the series, it certainly leaves room for a spinoff and characters I would be happy to visit with again. Regina Jennings is a very talented author and I have enjoyed everything she has written.
5☆
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. I received an eVersion from the publisher
@bethanyhousefiction
for which I am grateful!

The Joplin Chronicles:
0.5 Intrigue a la Mode (novella within Serving Up Love, Harvey House Brides)
1. Courting Misfortune
2. Proposing Mischief
3. Engaging Deception

Engaging Deception
By Regina Jennings
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Series: The Joplin Chronicles book 3
Rated: 4-5
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “A lively competition draws her into her rival's blueprints--and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?”

Impressions: Although this book is part of a series it was easily read as a standalone novel. I felt this was an engaging and well-balanced book. I enjoyed the characters and plot. The pace of the story was appropriate which allowed the story to feel authentic. The ending was the only bit of this story that I didn’t enjoy but perhaps it was because I enjoyed the rest of the book and didn’t want it to end. I felt the secondary and tertiary characters were able to reconcile too easily with the fact that Olive had deceived them. I also felt the pride battle between the homeowners would not be appeased so neatly. Things had to end however so I must not nitpick. It was a good book with a charming character, romance, relatable personal growth in the characters and a touch of faith.

Quotes: “It’d been so long, she didn’t want to change now. She felt comfortable where she was.” – This was such a relatable thought. Change is a trigger of anxiety for me and when the season for change enters my life I buck it. The fear of the unknown and lack of control in the changes makes me want to crawl in a hole. I related well to Olive in her feelings. Like Olive, however I’ve learned that change is natural and can be good. It is a process that God is with us through. I appreciated that Olive’s journey in growth and maturity due to change was well shared in this story.

“‘Sometimes the healing is in the telling of it,’ she said, ‘no matter who is listening.’” – I am not one to hold feelings in. I need to talk to someone or write out my thoughts. Praying out loud and prayer journaling is so helpful for me too.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com