I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Jane Brickley's life has been filled with her overbearing parents, and her only freedom is spending time at the Ladies Covert Academy, with her plants and friends, and hopefully getting to see Dev Holford. She's always been attracted to him, and hopes he feels the same way, but Dev is hiding the fact that he is the rightful Marquess of Rowling, and someone is out to kill him to stop him claiming his inheritance. When the Academy is burgled, and it looks as if Dev's proof has been stolen, he needs to rely on Jane, and hope she is trustworthy.

A wonderful regency romance, with a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Dev is the rightful heir to the late Marquess of Rowling, but only a handful of people know the truth. While growing up in India, there were multiple attempts made on his life, so he was brought to London, disguised as a servant in his stepmother's household. He's always cared for Jane though, but until he can take his title, he feels as if he isn't good enough, but Jane has never cared about that. Being able to work with him, and finally be taken into his confidence, was a dream for her, and I loved how he never doubted her brilliance, and was always encouraging Jane, no matter what. We got to see Jack and Pippa again, now married, and the sparks are flying between Lydia and Benedict! Another great book in the series.

Regency Romance with Mystery and Secrets

This is a delightful Regency romance about a resourceful botanist who will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals. Her beloved academy closed because of a robbery, and she wants it to open once more. If she must blackmail one charming Dev, then, that is what she must do. She had no idea he would steal her heart in the process. It turned out that there was much more to him than met the eye, too. He was a lord in servant's clothing. The two would take us on an adventure, filled with mystery, secrets, danger, and of course, romance. Could Dev finally find the evidence that he was the legitimate marquess? The odds were not in his favor. I enjoyed this Book and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance with adventure and intrigue.

Secret of a Covert Lord

I absolutely loved this. What a wonderful read.
The house for the Ladies Charitable Association is burglarized. The benefactress, Lady Rowling, immediately closes up the house and the young ladies leave with all their belongings. This is not acceptable to Miss Jane Brickley. Dev Holford came from India with Lady Rowling and is hiding a secret. He admires and loves Jane, but has no title. Jane has made it her mission, with the help of her friends at the LLC, to discover the truth of the break in and the identity of the legal heir. All they need is proof he is the real heir. If all goes according to plan, the real marquess will be revealed, if he lives long enough. A difference in class love story with a mystery.

The house for the Ladies Charitable Association is burglarized. The benefactress, Lady Rowling, immediately closes up the house and the young ladies leave with all their belongings. This is not acceptable to Miss Jane Brickley. Dev Holford came from India with Lady Rowling and is hiding a secret. He admires and loves Jane, but has no title. Jane has made it her mission, with the help of her friends at the LLC, to discover the truth of the break in and the identity of the legal heir. All they need is proof he is the real heir. If all goes according to plan, the real marquess will be revealed, if he lives long enough. A difference in class love story with a mystery.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A whirlwind of love, secrets and class-differences mix together to create a perfect storm. The quest to prove the legitimacy of the lost heir of the Rowling Marquessate proved even more difficult than I anticipated. In between a budding romance between friends turned conspirators turned lovers Dev & Jane, multiple curveballs were thrown to complicate matters. This proved to be a wonderful whodunnit style mystery where you were never quite sure of the actual villain until the very end. The unveiling of said villain, was written in the perfect styling of a Hitchcock mystery. I got all the tingles, and the almost comical revealing that reminded me of an unscripted murder mystery game reveal. *Insert shocked gasp here.* Incredibly well written in my opinion. Even above all that drama though, my heart ached, then broke, then soared as Dev & Jane worked through their doubts and finally declared themselves. Yes, I cried, I admit it. Add to that the seeds planted for the next story, the enemies? turned lovers romance of Lydia & Benedict and I am completely sold on this wonderful series.

Jane Brickley is loathed to deceive her parents when she joins a secret academy for ladies to study botany but they are stifling her with their protectiveness. When a burglary occurs close to the school, Jane is determined to solve the crime if it means that her school can reopen. So, she joins forces with Dev Holford, a servant, or so Jane thinks. Dev is really the rightful Marquess of Rowling, who is trying to find the evidence that will prove his legitimacy. Jane and Dev will work together to unravel the mystery of his birth right which is link to the local burglary.
This book has a good plot with plenty of romance. Jane is a determined woman, who has more freedom than most, even with the pressure of her parents. Her romance with Dev grows, despite the all the events thrown in their path. I enjoyed both characters who were determined, yet thoughtful of each other. A good start to a new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am loving the Covert Ladies Academy ("LCA") series by Jenny Hartwell! In this, the second entry (and definitely capable of being a standalone, though I think enjoyment would be enhanced by having read the first book) of the series, FMC Jane Brickley, a secret botanist, is determined to get the LCA reopened, after it being shuttered due to a burglary. The LCA is her lifeline to some small measure of independence and she is willing to resort to anything, even blackmail of MMC Dev, someone Jane would consider to be a friend, in order to effect the reopening. Dev, for his part, is a man raised amongst servants but heir to a marquessate, searching for proof of parents' legitimate marriage while also avoiding someone who seemingly wants to kill him before he can do so, but who also cares for Jane (in spite of being blackmailed!) and wants to help her in her quest.

This story excellently combines romance and mystery with a decent amount of spice. The whodonit is not terribly unobvious, but still manages to be intriguing. It is lovely to watch Jane grow as she realizes and deals with her own inherent biases as a member of her class and how her acceptance influences Dev's feelings toward himself. The third quarter drama is not overdone, and the sneakiness of Jane's fellow LCA members is amusing and appreciated.

Solid read, 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Secrets of a Covert Lord by Jenny Hartwell is the second in the Ladies’ Covert Academy series. As you will remember, the LCA was closed because of a burglary. In this installment, Jane, the botanist, and Dev, the butler, vow to investigate so that the academy can be reopened. What they discover is beyond astounding. Plus they discover one another, which is an amazing feat considering their classes. It is a story full of intrigue with plenty of subplots and as well as misdirection, betrayal, and greed.

The plot was good and well thought out. It used all available resources in terms of characters with whom readers are already acquainted. It was complicated and, sadly believable, mostly. Dev was a man who knew his place but answered the siren call of Miss Jane Brickley. Jane was single-minded and stubborn. She was also creative and had a wide circle of friends to call upon for assistance, mostly due to the LCA. Lady Rowley was on the periphery, lending support without too much involvement. It was a good book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Secrets of a Covert Lord by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #JennyHartwell #SecretsOfACovertLord

Jane Brickley is stifled by overprotective parents until she joins a secret academy for ladies to study botany. But when a suspicious burglary closes the school, she’s determined to uncover the mystery and get her beloved academy reopened. Jane recruits an insider’s help, and although the charming servant Dev is completely unsuitable, his smiles still plant seeds of longing in the fertile ground of Jane’s heart. Dev Holford, the rightful Marquis of Rowling, poses as a servant at the academy while he secretly hunts for proof of his legitimacy. Things grow complicated when the evidence vanishes, a distant relative may be trying to kill him, then a clever botanist pressures him to help solve the mystery of the academy burglary
This is the second book in the series & another engrossing captivating read, this new author is a definite find. Well written with very good characters & a pace that never lags. There’s a delicious mix of romance & mystery so it’s right up my street, I read the first in a sitting & also read this book in a sitting too. I loved both Dev & Jane & thoroughly enjoyed their exciting journey to a HEA – I loved it
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

An excellent blend of romance and murder mystery. She is a botanist and has the requisite skills for investigating a mystery. He has a secret and needs to prove the legitimacy of an heir. Together, they make a formidable pair and together, they find their happiness. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

I received an ARc of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

This is the 2nd book of Ladies Covert Academy (LCA) series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good. Dev mesmerize by Jane ability to manipulative him, the woman he think so innocent and pure able to blackmailed him to help her reopening and find evidence to save LCA. Dev always have feeling for Jane but he know as a servant and Jane daughter of Baron, they are not same. For Jane, she not care what Dev is, she want a chance with him but Dev mixed signal make her doubt everything. I really enjoy the adventure and growing feeling between them. The plot twist really refreshing but the misunderstanding really annoying.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#SecretsofaCovertLord #Ladies Covert Academy #JennyHartwell #DragonbladePublishing #NetGalley #ARC

An action packed story full of intrigue and danger. A real page turner I couldn't put down until the mystery was solved and although the villain seemed obvious I didn't see the answer coming. A very entertaining series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have really enjoyed this series and have been wondering how Dev fitted into the household of Lady Rowling. With burglaries taking place which threaten not only Lady Rowlings and her household but also caused the demise of the Academy, Jane Brickley is determined to find a way of once more being able to cultivate her plants and to continue her research, especially after a near-accident. Dev has always been her friend and assisted her where he could and although a servant in the household, he thoroughly unsettles her. Jane is determined to investigate the reasons for the burglaries and Dev realizes that if he is to keep her safe, he will have to join her in order to keep her out of trouble. Within the first few hours, Jane opens up new channels to explore and Dev has to agree that two heads are better than one, until the knives come out. Smothered by her fearful parents, Jane also has to fight for the right to some independence, and when their search takes them to a house party in the country she has to wonder whether she has bitten off more than she could chew. The novel comes to an exciting conclusion with Jane and her fellow Academy friends in a race against time, to find the final clue. The novel comes to a happy and rather unorthodox conclusion, but nevertheless, it is very satisfying. I received a copy of this enjoyable romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed reading this book, who can resist a charming covert lord? Lady Jane was doomed from the start, resisting his charm was not even an option . The story was written well. The characters had good chemistry. Loads of action and suspense.