A year ago, tragedy separated Gemma Parker and Graham Wharton, leaving them heartbroken and bitter, but with both being part of the Imposters, an investigative group used by aristocrats, they can’t permanently part ways.

Gemma and Graham must go uncover together when a ten-year-old boy is kidnapped, and a ransom is demanded. The clues lead them to a house party out in the country. They each must use their skills to uncover the motive and find the boy before it’s too late.

This is Christian fiction, so the element of faith is prevalent in the story, but it wasn’t in a preachy way. I didn’t mind the way it was presented.

I was thoroughly engrossed by both the mystery and the personal heartbreak of Gemma and Graham. Graham is angry with God and Gemma is angry with Graham. Yet, as they work together forgiveness, healing, and love filter in bit by bit. Their tragedy broke my heart and I totally understood why they were so shattered, but I cheered as they drew close again! Gemma and Graham’s personal journey is mixed in with the urgency of the situation, a little boy in danger. I was eager to see how it’d all play out!

This is book two in the series, but it wasn’t necessary to read the first one, as it was a separate mystery with a different romantic couple as the focus.

Readers of A Noble Scheme will be rewarded with a sweet second chance romance that emphasizes God’s goodness! However, with heavy topics of child loss and grief, this book is not for the faint of heart. A deep and thoughtful romance is combined with a fascinating mystery in an entertaining story that readers will love! Be sure to grab this second installment of The Imposters Series for adventure, romance, and deep spiritual truth all in one book!

I received a copy of this book from this publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own. I really did enjoy it!

This story completely broke me and put me back together. While reading book one I was so curious what could have happened between Gemma and Graham… but I never anticipated the truth! There were definitely tears on my part. Maybe even ugly ones. I felt everything so deeply as a relatively new mom. But the restoration that comes is one of the most beautiful things I’ve read in a while!

The mystery around the kidnapping was interesting and had me invested in the case while simultaneously being completely enthralled by the relationship drama. The slow reveal of what went wrong drove the pages to turn, but I will admit I had to stop for a day or two to process in the middle.

Moms, beware of all the feels. But this is one of those stories that I know will stick with me, the relationships and heartache so beautifully written.

I’m eagerly anticipating Yates’ story in Book 3. I love his character and I’m excited for him to get his own happy ending.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are completely my own.

It took me weeks to read the first 30-40% of the book, but I finished the last half in one sitting. This one was actually quite deep, which was unexpected not because Roseanna writes fluff, but because the first book set up this series with a more light-hearted tone. While it took me a long time to get into (mostly due to circumstances), it was most definitely an enjoyable book to read.

This book has the typical characteristics of Roseanna M. White books - depth, large cast of vibrant characters, and a complex, ever-evolving plot. But I'm also picking up a sense that it doesn't take itself too seriously. The story, characters and message matter, yet it's not trying to push across a point, which is likely intentional and took effort to create.

Definitely a book I will be revisiting.

Roseanna M. White's newest book, A Noble Scheme (The Imposter, #2) is a great story! I enjoyed everything about it. It takes place during The Edwardian period in England and continues the story of the Imposter's Detective Agency. The detail is well researched. The drama, intrigue, romance draws the reader into a wonderful and emotional journey. Especially for Gemma and Graham as the team is in search of a missing child.

Can be read alone but so much better after reading the first book in the series, A Beautiful Disguise. I highly recommend Ms. White's books. You won't be disappointed.

I received this book from the Roseanna M. White and Bethany House Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a dnf for me; I couldn’t believe the spy set up and it felt like I was missing background info at the start. It never pulled me in.

This was book two in a series. The premise is intriguing and I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery along with the characters. Overall I wish there had been more character development and things seemed to wrap up too quickly at the end. I will read the third and final book to see where everyone ends up.

"A beautiful historical masterpiece.

Roseanna M. White’s second book in the Imposters Series gives meaning to the saying that good things come to those who wait. Having read the first book, A Beautiful Disguise, I perceived a Gemma and Graham story on the horizon. A Noble Scheme, the second book in the Imposters series, has brought an end to my anticipation.

Set in the United Kingdom like its predecessor, A Noble Scheme continues the story of the Imposters. Gemma Parks and Graham Wharton are two people with a past. An incident had torn these two lovebirds apart, leaving two beating hearts too frozen to reconcile. Will a new case for the Imposters, which involves child kidnapping, be the needed heat to thaw these two hearts?

I have never read a Roseanna M. White novel that I have never liked or struggled to read, and this novel is no exception. Her character development and the strong Christian messages in her novels have always been motivating factors for reading her books. The themes of forgiveness, grief, anger, and faith were very well articulated in this novel. The beginning of the novel was a bit slower than expected, but it picked up so quickly in the middle of the novel that I finished reading it earlier than projected.

Fans of Roseanna M. White, grab this sequel. You will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion."

What colors catch your attention when you see a book cover? I thought the turquoise colors of the dress on this cover was very eye catching and it made me want to read this novel.

The Imposters are investigators that help London’s high society with difficult problems. Gemma Parker, is a columnist who uses her cover as writing for high society events to look for information behind the scenes. Graham Wharton has always loved Gemma, but after she left him, he has not been able to move on. Graham and Gemma are working together on the latest case to find a missing boy, and Graham hopes to win Gemma back. Will they find the missing boy and will Graham win Gemma back?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I greatly enjoyed the first book in this series, A Beautiful Disguise, I loved this follow-up even more. It was nice to see characters that I enjoyed from the first book return. That being said, I think you could read this book as a standalone.

• A Noble Scheme is a historical mystery set during the Edwardian time period in England.

• This book really took a turn for me in the middle and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone else by giving away too much information. I will say that the story turned out to be a story about grief, forgiveness, and being able to find your way back to God after a traumatic event. I was shocked by the story halfway through and I couldn’t put the book down after that point.

• This book is a clean read with a wonderful second chance romance story.

• This novel explores the Christian themes of forgiveness as well as finding your way back to your faith. I thought it covered these themes in a very thoughtful way.

• I loved that the entire mystery also included the themes of grief and forgiveness as well. I did not guess where this mystery was going and it had a satisfying ending.

• The author’s note at the end of the novel gave a great account of how author Roseanna M. White came up with the idea for this series and for this book in particular. It was very interesting and showed how she put together this heartfelt novel.

• Discussion questions were also included, and I think this would be a very interesting book to discuss at a book club.

Overall, A Noble Scheme was a great historical mystery with a deep, thoughtful look into grief and forgiveness. I was riveted and I highly recommend this novel.

This book is the second in a series. It’s probably not completely necessary, but I would recommend reading the first one beforehand to have more of an understanding of the dynamics of the characters & The Imposters.
I really enjoyed Graham & Gemma’s story, and how they each changed throughout the book. I liked the lessons of forgiveness & trust- both how they relate to our relation with God & our relationships with loved ones. I did think that all the veiled references to the reasons behind their arguments and emotions dragged on a bit before we actually found out those reasons. I will say that I was shocked by part of those reasons.
The case that The Imposters were solving was interesting too, and I enjoyed all the side characters that went along with it.

At its core, this is a beautiful story. I love how Gemma and Graham were able to finally grieve together and find redemption and forgiveness. The second chance romance of this book is what shines. As for the rest of it, the pacing felt really off and I was bored for most of it. There just seemed to be so much filler and I struggled to continue to pick this up. I’ve really enjoyed this series overall and I’m still very much looking forward to Yates’ story!

Thank you to Bethany House for a gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

A NOBLE SCHEME is a story about a group of characters who make a livelihood by being paid investigators. This second book in the series focuses on a couple introduced in the first book where their lives are unfolded, both past and present. It's also about two little boys who are cousins and the scheme they're involved in. It's full of suspense, family, and friendship as well as just a bit of danger and a strong theme of faith and forgiveness. Fans of the author, series and genre will find much to enjoy about this story!

I fell in love with these characters in the first book and enjoyed re-entering this storybook world to get reacquainted with them. I loved Graham even more as this story started off. Gemma took me a bit longer to warm up to even though I understood how she was feeling. These two had a pretty tough path to reconcile with their past and each other and move forward to their happily-ever-after, leading to some major feels in this story. I also liked the intrigue and suspense of the case they investigate in this story. There were a few things here and there that didn't quite work for me, but otherwise this was a solid second book in this series. I can't wait for book three!

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a uniquely creative and heartfelt story. I liked the characters, the setting, the faith elements, and the ongoing comradery of these characters. An overall excellent release from this author!

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit, I’ve tried to write this review 3 times now and I keep coming back to spoilers. And I do NOT want to spoil anything. So, this is my attempt at sharing my thoughts, without ruining the story for anyone else.
Welcome (back) to The Imposters series! Ah!! I've been waiting for this book since reading the first one, “A Beautiful Disguise,” and now I get to wait for Yates’ story. Does anyone else love a great series??? Though this is the second book, you technically don’t have to read them in order. But you should. Because it’s a series . . . right? And also, the first book was fantastic.
This book is about Gemma and Graham, two characters who obviously avoid one another in the first book. After reading it, I was very curious as to their backstory. What had happened to them? And goodness, you may want a tissue or two, or a few more, if you’re a crier. Because their story is so heart-wrenching. I’m not normally a crier, but a few tears escaped, reading about their pain and also their path to the beginning of healing. I so appreciate the kindness and grace with which the author handled their relationship and the restoration of other relationships throughout the book.
Before this sounds like a complete crying book, it’s not! I found the mystery very intriguing and frequently found myself trying to come up with reasons why reading was just as necessary as sleep. Reading probably won out a little more often than it should have . . . . Also, I could not have guessed the ending. So, there’s that. Have I left you properly intrigued?
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, and characters that settle right into your heart!
*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading the first book in this series, A Beautiful Disguise and really liking the unique elements that went into that story with the whole circus trapeze artist thing, along with the secret identity thing, and the investigations, I was looking forward to reading this one. I really wanted to know more about Gemma and Graham and why she hated him so much. I enjoyed that it wasn't the typical romance where they meet and fall in love. Instead this is a couple that were together with a long history and had broken up. I have to say that this book didn't go exactly as I expected, but it wasn't in a bad way. If anything, I liked it even more because of that. I loved peeling the layers off Gemma and Graham and slowly getting to the heart of their relationship and what had happened to cause so much pain. Some of it I guessed ahead of time, but not all of it. This really is a book about forgiveness, not only of another person, but of ourselves, and at times this book had me in tears.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Roseanna M. White continues to be at her best with this latest release! I do believe I liked it even better than the first book in the series, A Beautiful Disguise.

White seamlessly weaves romance, intrigue, and history (and architecture) into a read that kept me guessing to the very end. I really wasn't sure how she'd tie everything up--but boy, did she!

I would also very much like to study architecture now, haha. I've always enjoyed it, especially as it relates to cathedrals and other historical buildings of note, and was so intrigued here by how blueprints and plans could change as time passes, natural/acts-of-God events occur, or buildings get remodeled for one reason or another. Some of my favorite books and movies/TV shows involve secret tunnels or rooms that didn't show up on builders' blueprints (::cough:: National Treasure ::cough:: Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver ::cough:: Famous Five ::cough::), so this was right up my alley! :D

The series is best read in order, for clarity and character development as well as avoiding spoilers. If you haven't read book 1--I definitely recommend it!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Maybe if I'd read the first book in the series, this one would have made more sense to me. I didn't realize it was part of a series.

Unique characters - circus performers, a lord, a columnist, an architect and more form The Imposters, a crime fighting gang. The story was interesting and kept me engaged. I'd just suggest reading it as a series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

A quick look at the synopsis, and I was immediately hooked. I love a good historical fiction mixed with a cozy mystery. And this did not disappoint!

Though I’ll admit, the beginning was rough once I started. I hadn’t read the predecessor, A Beautiful Disguise. And while after reading this, I don’t think it was necessary to have read that first, this does well as a standalone, the initial premise of this “private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite” was hard to wrap my head around at first as its a bit rushed through the details of this in the beginning of this second novel. But the further I read into this, I quickly connected the dots and enjoyed this book! It was such a fun mystery to read.

I flowed through it fairly easily, I loved the idea of this cozy mystery. Gemma and Graham, once lovers, are thrown back together to help find this missing boy who was kidnapped. As we bounce back and forth between their perspectives, we discover the reason for their heartbreaks and why Graham is insistent on trying to win her back. I loved Graham’s thought process of taking advantage of Gemma’s disguise of being her “G.M. Parker” counterpart, where she has no reason to avoid Graham so he uses it to try and woo her all over again. It truly pulls at the heartstrings and is such a romantic second-chance romance!

Another detail that caught me by surprise within this one was the religious undertones our characters have. I’ve seen within historical fiction novels little ties of religion throughout the story, but this one was definitely more prevalent than I’ve seen before and I felt worth noting. Mostly with Graham who is struggling with his religion in what he believes after the fallout from his romance with Gemma. I found myself relating to Graham in how he felt about his beliefs, a constant inner battle with himself. Some of his thoughts ran deep with what I’ve felt about my own beliefs. It was something I didn’t expect but also enjoyed seeing.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and cozy mysteries in Christian fiction! This was such a fun enjoyable read!

This author is a new to me author but I am already looking into the other books in this series! From the review pitch, I could see this was part of a series but that it could be read as a standalone which I completely agree with—it can easily be a standalone. But it was so fun and I quickly got sucked in and started looking into the series as a whole! While I know this book is only the second one, I see a third book is planned for November which I am excited to check out!

While this is a new to my author, I could see that she has written a number of successful historical fiction novels, and I really liked the sound of this book. I liked the time period the book was set in and I loved the idea of a second chance romance with the catalyst for the romance being a kidnapping. It suggested a little mystery and intrigue to go hand-in-hand with the romance parts. And let’s just take a minute to appreciate the cover of this novel! Outstanding cover design and it accomplished its task and made me want to read it!

Beautiful cover, interesting storyline, proven author—all the boxes were ticked for me when I decided to read it. I am so glad I said yes to this one, it was just the book I needed right now! Something light but not frivolous (this book had substance but wasn’t overly heavy IMO) and a book that held my interest that got me excited to pickup a new series! I cannot wait to read the first book in preparation for the upcoming third release in November!

Summary

In the opulent and perilous world of high society’s most elite—and most dangerous—families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm’s members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren’t for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he’s ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy’s life and heal their hearts.


Review

Sometimes historical fiction books can be hit and miss when it comes to substance. I have read some historical fiction books that include romance but they are so silly and light that sometimes I read the book and forget it. Other times the book is so heavy with a lot of emotion and struggle for the characters that it becomes almost haunting and even exhausting. But this book feel right in between for me—something that has substance but yet was a little on the fun side too. I love books like that. I am not in mourning for days when it’s over but I am also not sitting here trying to recall the overall story. I felt like this book was very balanced in its substance and quality. I loved the romance between Graham and Gemma. Even if I am not a big second time romance fan, I thought with this book it worked well.

I found Gemma relatable and charming and I loved seeing Graham grow as a character through Gemma. This book also has Christian elements to it and deals with issues like faith as it relates to loss and forgiveness etc. I personally don’t mind Christian fiction, I find that it helps me break up my reading tastes and adds some substance to my reading but I also know that Christian fiction isn’t always everyone’s jam. This book does deal with faith, God’s love, as well as other Christian themes so if you are picking this book up be aware of that.

I really enjoyed getting to know the Imposters and I think this was a fun historical fiction book that fans of the genre will like. There was a lot of attention to historical detail within the story and era. I am a big Edwardian era fan so the attention to detail within this book was not lost on me! I felt invested in the character stories, the history, and the overall premise of the story. While having some heavier content I think it was done in a balanced way with an uplifting, gentle nod rather than overwhelming the reader with emotions. I loved the romance and I think the backstories of both Gemma and Graham will show growth and draw readers in. I am super excited to continue the series in the future!


AUTHOR BIO

Roseanna M. White (roseannamwhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books. . .to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

Book Info and Rating

Format 352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 19, 2024 by Bethany House Publishers

ISBN 9780764240935 (ISBN10: 0764240935)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Bethany House Publishers in partnership with Austen Prose Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: historical fiction, romance, Christian fiction

Wow, what a roller coaster of emotions! This book gave me so many feels- joy, anger, betrayal, grief, love, heartache, fear, anxiety, repentance… it seriously has it all. It was very emotional and had a different vibe than book one, but still so good. You get Gemma and Graham’s story in this book, and you finally uncover why there is such a rift between them. I won’t give any spoilers, but boy did my jaw drop. I did not see it coming.
The Imposters are back at it, and this one will not be any less anxious haha I love how the multiple POV’s give you so much perspective, and I LOVE Yates! I cannot wait for his story!!
Another beautiful Christian romance from this author!
TW/triggers: kidnapping; loss of children and family

Thank you to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

A Noble Scheme is the wonderful second book in a fun series that you’re not going to want to miss! I couldn’t wait to start it! Book one is A Beautiful Disguise. If you’ve read book one then you know how I felt. I was waiting for book two and really not patiently at all. I had to know why Gemma didn’t want anything to do with Graham and why they had such tension between them! And let me tell you, it wasn’t what I thought or even anything I could imagine!

I can’t give away details but woah guys. You need to read this book. And can I just say that I cried while reading it. Yes, I was pregnant the first time I read the book. And why yes that does indicate I’ve read the book twice already! The first time on Kindle and the second time as a paperback! But I was postpartum the second time reading it, already knew what was going to happen, and still cried. So maybe just have some Kleenexes nearby okay?

We do see the main characters from book one in this one as well. It was so good to catch back up with them and see what their lives had become like. Oh and of course The Imposters is still going strong! Gotta love their investigations!

WHAT CAN I TELL YOU ABOUT THIS STORY?
Oh, it’s so good! Carve out one day and read the whole thing in one setting. And then carve out another block of time to read it again because it’s amazing and you’re going to read it twice. But make sure you read the first book first so you know the characters and the back story of book one. You could read this as a stand-alone but why would you want to do that?!

Gemma has some hostility towards Graham. We don’t know why. But we get the impression that they have had a relationship in the past and it soured but we have no idea why. We also have no idea why she refuses to give even a little bit. She can’t let him have a small bit and even their interactions for The Imposters aren’t exactly civil.

THE PLOT
Two boys. The best of friends. They’re cousins. They look alike. But one’s father wants to forget that the other part of the family exists. So when it’s his nephew and not his son that goes missing he has no intention of paying the ransom. The kidnapped boy’s father comes to The Imposters for help though he can’t pay. He loves his son and wants him back whatever the cost.

And that’s how The Imposters get involved in the case. And how Graham and Gemma find themselves working together to solve the case. But can they unravel who is behind the kidnapping and save the boy (or rather is it boys-shh don’t tell I told you) before it’s too late?

This fast-paced book will have you biting your nails and crying plus raging against evil but also sighing over the good. It’s wonderful. It’s amazing. And I’m ready for the next book!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.