"The Gentleman and the Thief" by Sarah M Eden

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke. Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling. When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?

A second fun installment of the Dread Penny Society. It's been quite a while since I read book one, but my forgetfulness in no way impeded my reading of this book--it stands on its own quite well, while at the same time advancing the ploys of the Big Bad.

Hollis is delightful--a charming gentleman with more skills than he appears, but more importantly, a permanently sunny (if, occasionally, good naturedly snarky) attitude. Ana appears pretty demure at first, but once she is caught out, she blooms with confidence (and competence) and is quite a lot of fun as well. The two have a wonderful rapport.

I look forward to further escapades of the Dread Penny Society and their vendetta against London's criminal underworld!

Dread Penny Society:
1. The Lady and the Highwayman
2. The Gentleman and the Thief
3. The Merchant and the Rogue

"Winning the Gentleman" by Kristi Ann Hunter - Hearts on the Heath, book 2

Aaron Whitworth hasn't had control over most aspects of his life, but he's always taken pride in being an honorable businessman and better-than-average horseman. When both of those claims are threatened, he makes the desperate decision to hire the horse trainer of a traveling circus as a temporary jockey for his racehorses. Sophia Fitzroy knows that most horsemen don't take her seriously because she's a woman, but she can't pass up the opportunity to get away from the tumultuous world of travel and performing. As she fights for the right to do the work she was hired for, she learns the fight for Aaron's guarded heart might be an even more worthwhile challenge. Will Aaron and Sophia sacrifice their former dreams and forge a new one together--against all odds?

I am so glad to finally have Aaron's story, after meeting him four books ago and getting to know him better in the previous book! Since he is the illegitimate yet acknowledged son of an aristocrat, he doesn't quite fit in anywhere; he's always on the fringes, a position that I think a lot of people can relate to. But he is a great guy. Definitely has some hang-ups and issues to work through, but I thoroughly enjoyed his story. 

I got quite a kick out of Sophia's inability to stop talking, but she has much more to recommend her as well: she's brave, fun, and not afraid to acknowledge when she needs help. The supporting cast was wonderful as well, with lots of old friends from previous books. Makes me want to start rereading Hunter's books from the beginning!

As usual, I loved the humor of Hunter's novel, balanced beautifully with an engaging story full of heart.  I can't wait for her next book! I'm hoping it will be about the eccentric Harriet and/or good-hearted Lord Rigsby . . .

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Hearts on the Heath
1. Vying for the Viscount
2. Winning the Gentleman

Related series: (Chronologically Hawthorne House comes first, Haven Manor second, and then Hearts on the Heath)

Hawthorne House
0.5 "A Lady of Esteem" - a free novella introduction to the Hawthornes and friends!
1. A Noble Masquerade
2. An Elegant Facade
3. An Uncommon Courtship
4. An Inconvenient Beauty

Haven Manor
0.5: "A Search for Refuge" (free prequel e-novella)
1. A Defense of Honor
2. A Return of Devotion

3. A Pursuit of Home 

3.5: "Legacy of Love" (published in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection)

"The Indebted Earl" by Erica Vetsch - Serendipity and Secrets, book 3

Captain Charles Malvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Malvern to escort the man's grieving fiancée and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell, and with the earldom comes some unexpected complications. . .

I enjoyed Charles and Sophie's relationship, from strangers to allies to friends to lovers. The progression felt natural; Sophie starts with some understandable feelings of anger toward Charles in that he shoulders (rightfully or wrongfully) some of the blame for her fiancé's death, but as circumstances push them together more and more, they grow all the closer, learning to forgive each other and themselves, and bonding over shared love of the people in their care. 

I enjoyed the references that one has to read the rest of the series to understand (like Sophie's brother Marcus's enigmatic actions). It was nice of Marcus to impart some of the wisdom he gained (belatedly) in the previous novel. I would have liked to see what happens with Cilla, who is on the periphery in these two later books--maybe someday there will be a fourth book or novella so we can know she's not at the mercy of her domineering mother-in-law the rest of her days?

Thank you Kregel and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Serendipity and Secrets
1. The Lost Lieutenant
2. The Gentleman Spy
3. The Indebted Earl