I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Leading Lady by Deb Marlowe is the second book her her delightful Half Moon House Series. You could read it as a stand-alone however I think you will enjoy it more if you read the books in order. In order to help someone she loves Callie Grant agrees to pretend to be married to Lord Truitt Russell, but when she does she discovers that not only is her heart in trouble but her true identify may end up being revealed. This is a fast-paced and suspenseful enemies-to-lovers story with a nasty villain. I enjoyed reading it very much and recommend this book and the other books in the series.

This is book two in a series about Half Moon House a place where women can go and find help for abusive situations or from a life on the streets. It is ran by a former courtesan. Lady Hestia Wright is a very powerful, wealthy women. With help from other women who all have secrets they help the women to learn and a chance at a better life. Miss Calle Grant and her friend Letty live there.
Calle is always saving Letty from situations she gets into. If you have read the first book you will remember some of the characters who are also in this book. The Evil Lord Marstoke, Lord Stonacre
Lord Truitt Russell, whose brother is The Duke of Aldmere.
This is a fast moving story of how Calle is trying to save her sister, Truitt is trying to reclaim his honor and Stonacre is trying to catch Marstoke. As they all work together for one goal. Both Calle and Tru can't keep the attraction between them from growing into something much more. As they pretend they are husband and wife. There are many twist and turns in this book. The cast of characters is good and there is suspense and lots of steamy romance that fits the story. I did feel like I was missing a lot by not having read the first book. It would have been nice to know just what
is driving Tur to catch Marstoke .
I liked this story till the end. Big Spoiler here this is a Hugh cliffhanger that you will need to read the next book to see what happens. I hate cliffhanger !! Which is why I gave this book only three stars. The story is good enough for four but I want a story to end with the book, if I want to read the next story in a series that is for me to decide.
I received and ARC from netgallery and wish to thank them, I wish they would have said it had a cliffhanger as I would have declined it them and saved by time for a other book.
I give this opinion voluntarily.

A historical romance full of secrets, mystery and intrigue. Can two people who've been put together discover they have real feelings?

A little sin and a little sweet this is sure to satisfy a historical romance craving. As with any series, if you prefer to reader in order, you will enjoy this even more.

This was such a wonderful and exciting story to read, it's filled with intrigue, suspense, danger and a few twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages! Oh, and of course, there is lots of passion involved:)

Miss Callie Grant and Lord Truitt Russell, who do not see eye to eye, find themselves in a situation of posing as husband and wife who run an inn in France...all an act to try to capture the evil Lord Marstoke who has Callie's half-sister and who ruined Tru's life. I've always loved the enemies to lovers trope and this one is no exception. The story is action packed and I love how Callie is a kick a$$ heroine and Tru is such an honorable hero!

I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The manipulator

How do you stop an madman from his plan to embarrass the prince and get close enough to destroy everyone in his path? Undercover brings two people together from different social levels to find a madman, then fall in love. A nice page turner with a lead into the next book.

This book is the 2nd book in this series and it can be read as a standalone (I did it). This was also the first book that I read by Deb Marlowe and I am glad that I did! This is a enemies to lovers story and it was just a lot of fun. I love how Callie was written. She was funny, smart, determined and is ready to fight injustice during a time when men are in charge of everything. Callie protects the women of Half Moon House against bad men and she is always getting into trouble. She can take care of herself because she has been trained to defend herself.
Part of the story is set in France so it’s perfect when you are in a Francophone mood. I loved the elements of spies and intrigue in the story. The chemistry between Callie and Truitt was hot! I laughed out loud when they had to put their dislike for each other and pretend that there are husband and wife. They do keep some secrets from each other and eventually decide that they must trust each other. While this is an older book, this is a perfect series to start this summer. Just disappear into a historical romance and enjoy the HEA. Sounds perfect to me. I am glad that I read this book.

This is the second book in the series. Although I didn’t read the first one I was able to understand what was going on. It is packed with action and drama as Tru and Callie hunt down the bad guy. They learn to trust and face their greatest fears and fall in love. Nice book.

3.5/5⭐️

I started this one hoping it wouldn’t matter that it was second in series but did find myself lost in a few instances. The writing was fine. But the series is more of a serial so that I found myself getting frustrated and annoyed when they never seem to outwit the villain.🤨 The love story was nice with a few passionate scenes, but at 250 pages, the relationship felt a bit rushed with everything else that was going on around them. However, I might go back to continue this series at another time.

Thanks to #NetGalley for providing the free ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

The Leading Lady is the second book in the Half Moon House series by Deb Marlowe. I think that it might have been better if I had read the first book in the series before this one. Although the book made sense, I think knowing more about the evil Lord Marstoke and exactly what he got up to in relation to Lord Truitt becoming disgraced, would have been good. All which happened in the first book. I might already know what happens next, but I enjoyed this book so much that it will be no hardship going back and reading the first one.

So, Lord Truitt has been disgraced and he wants to do all in his power to capture Marstoke and see justice served. Of course, he wants to mend his reputation too. A careful plan is set up, part of which involves Miss Callie Grant.

Callie's sister has willingly, it seems, run away with Margate and she will do anything to get her from his clutches. That means her working with Lord Truitt, acting as his wife, both undercover. She doesn't even like Truitt, in fact, she would rather have nothing to do with him at all. But needs must, and she agrees to the plan.

Spending time together allows them to see a side to each other that they admire and despite it not being the best of times to perhaps be falling in love that is what they seem to be doing.

Watching their developing romantic feelings was a real delight. Add to that the suspense of them trying to catch Margate and I couldn't read this book quickly enough. The plan was convoluted and a lot could go wrong, and at times it does, but can they rescue Callie's sister before it's too late? It was exciting right up to the very last minute. Be warned though, there is a huge cliffhanger so if you don't like them make sure you buy the next book in the series ready to continue the story!

The Leading Lady by Deb Marlowe is book Two in the Half Moon House Series. This is the story of Callie Grant and Truitt Russell. I haven't yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book. Callie has secrets but her main focus is helping with Hestia's home for women along with saving her sister it seems. When her sister once again is in trouble she goes forward to try to help with leads her to Truitt. Truitt too has his on mission but they both find they are after the same person and turn to work toward it together. Enjoyed their story.

Such an enjoyable and smoothly flowing read.

The story concerns the disgraced younger son Lord Truitt Russell, caught up in. plot against the crown including a list of London’s prosititutes, masterminded by the evil Marstoke. He is desperate to restore his name and his reputation in society. He agrees to work with the spy Lord Stoneacre, who has been charged by the King’s Privy Council to investigate the Marquess of Marstoke. As a result he and Callie Grant, and illegitimate connection of famous courtesan Hestia Wright, are asked to work together, and pose as husband and wife, and run an inn near to Marstoke house in Brittany. Callie is invested as Marstoke has convinced her half sister to assist him in his plot. The aim is to capture Marstoke and rescue Letty.

The hero and heroine have history as Truitt’s brother is the Duke of Aldmere, who married Callie’s best friend. They tend to bicker and argue with each other, but secretly they are physically attracted to each other.

This was a lovely read, the writing was smooth and delightfully free of grammatical errors, and americanisms that tend to jar in a regency novel set in Europe.

The action was well plotted and exciting, the hero and heroine were capable and the author didn’t spend too much time on them fighting each other. They worked together well at the inn, and grow closer, and eventually become lovers. Slowly they let down their guard with each other.

Marlowe handles the adventure part of the story well, and it held my interest, alongside the developing romance. The conflict between Callie and Truitt is caused by him witholding information from her, that eventually leads to the failure of their plan, and Tru being injured. The resolution is lovely as Tru realises he has to make amends and lets himself be vulnerable.

What I loved is how Tru accepts Callie’s competence, and doesn’t try to wrap her in cotton wool, whilst still being protective and loving towards her. I appreciated the part where he insisted she was an equal part of the denouement at the end, and also how they found a common cause in their life together once they were married.

All in all a really pleasurable and satisfying read.

I received an ARC of the book, in return for an honest review.

Also posted on goodreads.

This is the second book in the Half Moon Series and it can be read as a standalone story.

Lord Truitt Russell is trying to regain his honor and his good name by capturing the elusive Lord Marstoke. Truitt is paired with Callie Grant who also has a personal reason to capture Marstoke and they must learn to work together as a couple in this assignment.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Treason and Romance. Although one in a series I was able to read this story without having read the previous book. Two individuals who dislike each other have to pretend to be husband and wife in order to obtain their goals. Their close proximity during this subterfuge leads to them changing their opinions of each other. An enemies to lovers romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marstoke is at it again, or still at it. Tru and Callie are teamed to try to find and stop him. They have some unpleasant history, but reluctantly agree to work together. Tru wants restore his honor and his name. Marstoke has Callie’s sister, and she wants her back. Hester wants him caught, his past abuse paid for and his present danger removed. There are a lot of secrets in this one. I love the way Hester’s are revealed slowly as the story unfolds. This one is full of intrigue, action, betrayal, and a lot of danger. Callie and Tru begin to like each other, but not to trust each other. They start working together in opposite directions and at somewhat cross-purposes. This could be a problem for the mission and their budding relationship. Can they find Marstoke? Can Callie convince Hetty to come home with her? Will Tru reclaim his honor and restore his name? These headstrong people and their cohorts will certainly try. The Half Moon house stories have strong characters and interesting plots. The Leading Lady is no exception. I recommend the book and the series.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and volunteered to review it.

Book 2 in her Half Moon House series is full of suspense and mystery. I liked Callie and Tru’s story and I am enjoying this series.

Miss Callie Grant has hidden her true identity her entire life, but now elements from her past are threatening to destroy England’s future. To save Letty, someone she loves, she agrees to a dangerous mission and to masquerade as the wife of Lord Truitt Russell.
Tru wants only one thing to restore his honour, which was brought into question when he became involved with the Lord Marstoke. Only the capture of the Wicked Lord will do the job.
This is the second book in the Half Moon series & whilst it could be read on its own I feel to fully appreciate it, it is best read after the first book. Tru & Callie don't like each other but are attracted to each other. However the more time they spend together the more they get to know each other & realise first impressions can be deceptive. A well written very well paced book that I raced through & was totally captivated. I particularly loved the extracts from Hestia’s journal at the start of each chapter.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Lots of mystery and intrigue in this book. Try and Callie are helping Stoneacre track down the evil Marstoke and save Callie’s sister from him before he can begin his plan against the royal family. Tru and Callie fall in love along the way.

I have not read the first book and I think that was to my detriment in reading this one. I never fully understood what happened to Tru and his desperation to capture Marstoke. He and Callie are known to each other and I believe a lot of that occurs in the first book as well. The ending left a lot to be desired for as much talk as to the plan at the ball - it all went out the window to save Letty and what the plan was and what happened was never really explained. Apparently, there’s a novella to explain that.

The writing is good and the romance is good, but the book is definitely part of a series and I wish it had more of a stand-alone feel to it.

I received a review copy as part of the Regency Review Crew.

If you had a chance to change your life even if it means letting go of something or someone even if it might break your heart would you take it?
Callie Grant is a girl who only ever thinks of others and never takes time for herself. She protects the women of Half Moon House against nasty husbands, pimps and thieves. She’s always getting someone out of trouble even at her own peril. She can take care of herself shes been trained to keep safe and fend off attackers.
Lord Truitt Russell has spent several months nursing his wounded pride. Jumping to save someone put him in the middle of a treasonous venture and he nearly escaped without being hanged. Now he must redeem himself and reclaim his reputation by finding Marstoke who forced him into that situation.
Callie’s best friend married Truitt’s brother the Duke, they’ve disliked each other since. With Callie looking for the girl Marstoke took from Half Moon House and Truitt searching for him as well they are asked to combine forces. They must push back their dislike for each other and act as husband and wife and make it believable.
They begin to see the good in each other, see the person they really are and start to form a intimate friendship they thought was impossible. Can they tell each other their life’s secrets and totally trust in the other and open themselves to possible ridicule or will they make a friend for a lifetime? Not confiding in each other and thinking they are protecting the other from possible dangers may end the fragile hold they have on their hearts. The new found trust they have may crumble and never be repaired.
I’ve really enjoyed this series, this one had a great storyline but it drag a bit for me and didn’t keep my attention as much as the others. The best part of the book was the last 30 or so pages when Callie and Truitt found what they really needed out of life.

We met Callie and Tru in the first book and now we get to see more of them. Callie is Hestia's right arm. She can be deadly when confronted and doesn't trust too many people. Especially Tru. Tru doesn't trust Callie either. His only aim is to get Lord Marstoke and he doesn't care who gets in the way, because he will get him. Callie is only after her sister and will not let Tru get in her way. Now they are working together and the more they are together, the more they realize that they have been wrong about each other. Will they be able to save Letty, get Lord Marstoke and stay together?

Usually, I love stories with a pretend spouse and was eager to read this one. Maybe because I haven't read the first one in the series or maybe because I have read a whole string of British stories, lately, and am tired of them, but this one wasn't really my cuppa tea and didn't hold my interest as well as I'd have liked. In the past, I have enjoyed Deb Marlowe.