What do you think?
Rate this book
Half Moon House #1.5
An Unexpected Encounter
A Half Moon House Novella! Tall, practical girls might not be worth much in a man's world, but Miss Lisbeth Moreton knows she's worth more than the squire's prized heifer. To change her fate she's run off to a date with destiny at the British Museum. Her would-be suitor never shows, but an unexpected encounter with Lord Cotwell and his lonely ward might lead to altogether new prospects . . . and perhaps to love.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2013
15 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Deb Marlowe
87 books427 followersUSA Today Bestseller Deb Marlowe loves History, England and Men in Boots. Clearly she was destined to write Historical Romance and Mystery.
A Golden Heart winner and Rita Finalist, Deb grew up in Pennsylvania with her nose in a book. Luckily, she'd read enough romances to recognize the true modern hero she met at a college Halloween party—even though he wore a tuxedo T-shirt instead of breeches and tall boots.
A proud geek, history buff and story addict, she loves to talk with readers and to create historical recipes in her modern kitchen. Check it out at Deb Marlowe's Historical Kitchen on her website.
A Golden Heart winner and Rita Finalist, Deb grew up in Pennsylvania with her nose in a book. Luckily, she'd read enough romances to recognize the true modern hero she met at a college Halloween party—even though he wore a tuxedo T-shirt instead of breeches and tall boots.
A proud geek, history buff and story addict, she loves to talk with readers and to create historical recipes in her modern kitchen. Check it out at Deb Marlowe's Historical Kitchen on her website.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 11, 2024
An Unexpected Encounter by Deb Marlowe
Half Moon series 1.5. Historical romance novella. Can be read as a stand-alone. Originally published as part of an anthology.
Lizbeth Moreton expects to meet a date at the British museum. Instead she finds a young girl seemingly on her own. Making sure the girl is ok, she encounters Lord Cotwell, who promptly offers her a job as governess.
Lisbeth is caught between the ton and the gentry and her future is precarious. Taking care of Aurelia temporarily may open other options.
A sweet manipulation has two like minded people working together to keep a young girl safe and feel secure. A bit of romance blooms though it’s not without a hiccup or two. The best outcome, of course, for this little novella.
Half Moon series 1.5. Historical romance novella. Can be read as a stand-alone. Originally published as part of an anthology.
Lizbeth Moreton expects to meet a date at the British museum. Instead she finds a young girl seemingly on her own. Making sure the girl is ok, she encounters Lord Cotwell, who promptly offers her a job as governess.
Lisbeth is caught between the ton and the gentry and her future is precarious. Taking care of Aurelia temporarily may open other options.
A sweet manipulation has two like minded people working together to keep a young girl safe and feel secure. A bit of romance blooms though it’s not without a hiccup or two. The best outcome, of course, for this little novella.
August 4, 2022
A lovely surprise! Enjoyed reading this story. Good storyline and characters. I don't know why I don't read this author more. I think I will! 4☆
October 29, 2013
An Unexpected Encounter by Deb Marlowe is a novella originally published as part of an anthology. This novella has been altered a little and an epilogue added. I received a copy of this book from Netgally and Aspendawn Books.
This story is part of the Half Moon House series.
The book starts out with Hestia Wright doing what she does best. She observes a young woman in a museum checking the time frequently, and a little girl that in unattended. She manages to get the two of them together.
Lisbeth is in the museum to meet someone. It is urgent. She needs help to avoid a horrible fate her step-father has planned for her.
Aurelia's parents are both dead and her father's best friend has taken guardianship over her. But, the girl is still in mourning and sneaks out everyday to visit the museum.
Edmund Banke, Baron Cotwell doesn't know what hit him when he is confronted with Lisbeth and Aurelia together. Lisbeth manages to obtain a position looking after Aurelia and the household. The Baron is often shut away in his mysterious and top secret lab. Also, being a bachelor, he doesn't have much experience with children.
Lisbeth does a fine job for him, but circumstances arise that leads the Baron to think Lisbeth could do better, not only a better position, but a better husband.
Can Lisbeth be happy without Aurelia and the Baron? Will the Baron let his work deprive him the happiness he could have with Lisbeth?
This is a sweet story of two people that have self image issues. Neither of them believe they are attractive and are resigned to it. But, each finds the other more than attractive. There is chemistry between them, but the Baron is a bit eccentric and honestly thinks he is doing what is best for Lisbeth.
Of course there is a mystery as to what the Baron is working on in that lab and why it's so all fired important. There is also the ill treatment Lisbeth was subjected to by her father and her good friend, James.
The HEA is really, really sweet. The Baron will find it easy to relinquish his work somewhat so he can enjoy his new family. But, there is also a bittersweet ending that made me ache for poor Hestia.
Over all a very satisfying historical romance. This one is a B+
This story is part of the Half Moon House series.
The book starts out with Hestia Wright doing what she does best. She observes a young woman in a museum checking the time frequently, and a little girl that in unattended. She manages to get the two of them together.
Lisbeth is in the museum to meet someone. It is urgent. She needs help to avoid a horrible fate her step-father has planned for her.
Aurelia's parents are both dead and her father's best friend has taken guardianship over her. But, the girl is still in mourning and sneaks out everyday to visit the museum.
Edmund Banke, Baron Cotwell doesn't know what hit him when he is confronted with Lisbeth and Aurelia together. Lisbeth manages to obtain a position looking after Aurelia and the household. The Baron is often shut away in his mysterious and top secret lab. Also, being a bachelor, he doesn't have much experience with children.
Lisbeth does a fine job for him, but circumstances arise that leads the Baron to think Lisbeth could do better, not only a better position, but a better husband.
Can Lisbeth be happy without Aurelia and the Baron? Will the Baron let his work deprive him the happiness he could have with Lisbeth?
This is a sweet story of two people that have self image issues. Neither of them believe they are attractive and are resigned to it. But, each finds the other more than attractive. There is chemistry between them, but the Baron is a bit eccentric and honestly thinks he is doing what is best for Lisbeth.
Of course there is a mystery as to what the Baron is working on in that lab and why it's so all fired important. There is also the ill treatment Lisbeth was subjected to by her father and her good friend, James.
The HEA is really, really sweet. The Baron will find it easy to relinquish his work somewhat so he can enjoy his new family. But, there is also a bittersweet ending that made me ache for poor Hestia.
Over all a very satisfying historical romance. This one is a B+
November 8, 2025
Lizbeth and Lord Cotswell are two people who are running away from the world they live in and their roles were assigned by society. They happen to meet at the Museum of Natural History when Lizbeth offers to watch over a young girl while someone comes to claim her. The girl is the ward of Lord Cotswell and they reach an agreement, suggested by the young girl, for Lizbeth to become her governess. Since the arrangement benefits all concerned it seems like the perfect solution.
A growing attraction develops between the Lord and Lizbeth but they both have life issues they must address before making commitments to each other. Cotswell must stop hiding away from society and Lizbeth needs to confront her stepfather and claim what is rightfully hers.
Of course this ends happily and everyone gains what they rightfully deserve. HEA's are the best and this was a delightful short read.
A growing attraction develops between the Lord and Lizbeth but they both have life issues they must address before making commitments to each other. Cotswell must stop hiding away from society and Lizbeth needs to confront her stepfather and claim what is rightfully hers.
Of course this ends happily and everyone gains what they rightfully deserve. HEA's are the best and this was a delightful short read.
May 22, 2018
What a truly wonderful story! This is the first book I have read by Deb Marlowe and it certainly won’t be the last. The writing is amazing, and left me wanting more. I love how this is a simple story and is not weighed down with evil villains and excessive drama etc, it was easy to follow, interesting and more importantly it was believable! I love that James is not beyond redemption and want to hear more about him. Lisbeth and Edmund are phenomenal characters, I adored them. Just a wonderful read all the way around.
March 30, 2021
Good book. Lisbeth fled her home when her stepfather attempted to arrange a marriage for her in exchange for a prize bull. She arranged to meet a friend at the British Museum, but he never showed up, leaving her stranded with nowhere to go. Hestia Wright, a former courtesan who now helps other women, asked her to keep an eye on an unattended young girl until she can return to assist her. Lisbeth and the little girl, Aurelia, connect quickly. When Aurelia's guardian, Lord Cotwell, tracks her down, Aurelia is quick to engineer a way to keep Lisbeth as her governess.
Edmund, Lord Cotwell, is a big bear of a man, gruff and reclusive, who has no clue how to deal with his ward. She ended up with him when her original guardian refused to even see the girl. Aurelia's father was Edmund's best friend, and he wants to do the right thing. Hiring Lisbeth relieves his worries over her care.
I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Lisbeth's relationship. Tired of how Society treats him because of his size and social awkwardness, Edmund spends his time shut away in his laboratory working on his inventions. Lisbeth suffered years of her stepfather's constant denigration of her looks and abilities. They first become friends as they share their concern for Aurelia and her grief over her parents' deaths. Lisbeth also takes over as housekeeper, bringing order to Edmund's home and life. Edmund, who locked away his emotions years earlier, finds those feelings stirring back to life around the two females. Lisbeth also feels a growing connection to Edmund though neither feels that they are good enough for the other. A crisis with Aurelia creates the opportunity for some soul-searching, but it's a different encounter that opens Edmund's eyes to the truth. I loved his big moment at the end.
#netgalley "Encounters with a Rogue"
Edmund, Lord Cotwell, is a big bear of a man, gruff and reclusive, who has no clue how to deal with his ward. She ended up with him when her original guardian refused to even see the girl. Aurelia's father was Edmund's best friend, and he wants to do the right thing. Hiring Lisbeth relieves his worries over her care.
I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Lisbeth's relationship. Tired of how Society treats him because of his size and social awkwardness, Edmund spends his time shut away in his laboratory working on his inventions. Lisbeth suffered years of her stepfather's constant denigration of her looks and abilities. They first become friends as they share their concern for Aurelia and her grief over her parents' deaths. Lisbeth also takes over as housekeeper, bringing order to Edmund's home and life. Edmund, who locked away his emotions years earlier, finds those feelings stirring back to life around the two females. Lisbeth also feels a growing connection to Edmund though neither feels that they are good enough for the other. A crisis with Aurelia creates the opportunity for some soul-searching, but it's a different encounter that opens Edmund's eyes to the truth. I loved his big moment at the end.
#netgalley "Encounters with a Rogue"
June 6, 2020
So glad I tried this novella from new-to-me author, Deb Marlowe! A dreamy little story (just as I like them), that was well written with interesting and likable characters. Definitely left me wanting to read more in this series. Edmund❤️Lisbeth❤️Aurelia
November 5, 2013
2.5 stars
This was a short little novella by a new to me author Deb Marlowe.
The story revolves around a a chance encounter between two very tall people who meet at a museum. It was a bit of a slow read for me despite it's short length because it was so typical.
The story starts with a prologue introducing Hestia Wright. It was a bit confusing because the narrator describes her back story of being a famous courtesan who now helps woman in need. The summary describes two other characters yet I'm being flooded by information on this fairy godmother of sorts. I later figured out that she's supposed to somehow bring the characters together. I would have actually preferred that she had magical powers because otherwise she relies on pure happenstance to 'bring' these people together.
Moving on from the confusing beginning we're finally introduced to the 2 or I should say 3 main characters. Tall Lisbeth is at the Museum for mysterious reasons waiting for her rescuer who never shows up. Instead, she is bamboozled into helping an unsupervised child by Hestia Wright. Lisbeth uses her charms on the child, Aurelia to entrust her until her guardian Lord Cotwell shows up.
Super duper tall Lord Cotwell is a inventor who is taken away from his lab in order to retrieve his ward from the museum, again. It seems that Aurelia manages to escape often and usually goes to the museum. What follows is Lisbeth becoming Aurelia's governess until she finds a new post and of course she brings Aurelia out of her shell and Lord Cotwell fall in love, the end. The story was not that surprising nor groundbreaking. Aurelia's only 'novice' in the story is that she's tall. Otherwise I found her to by a typical good-smart-kind-nurturing heroine. Lord Cotwell was made a bit more interesting in that he was also tall (taller than Lisbeth of course) and that he was an inventor. I thought the story would expound upon the inventions a bit but it was more of a personality trait for the character to make him seem more mysterious. I haven't written off the author but i'm not going to pain myself in finding her backlog of books.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
This was a short little novella by a new to me author Deb Marlowe.
The story revolves around a a chance encounter between two very tall people who meet at a museum. It was a bit of a slow read for me despite it's short length because it was so typical.
The story starts with a prologue introducing Hestia Wright. It was a bit confusing because the narrator describes her back story of being a famous courtesan who now helps woman in need. The summary describes two other characters yet I'm being flooded by information on this fairy godmother of sorts. I later figured out that she's supposed to somehow bring the characters together. I would have actually preferred that she had magical powers because otherwise she relies on pure happenstance to 'bring' these people together.
Moving on from the confusing beginning we're finally introduced to the 2 or I should say 3 main characters. Tall Lisbeth is at the Museum for mysterious reasons waiting for her rescuer who never shows up. Instead, she is bamboozled into helping an unsupervised child by Hestia Wright. Lisbeth uses her charms on the child, Aurelia to entrust her until her guardian Lord Cotwell shows up.
Super duper tall Lord Cotwell is a inventor who is taken away from his lab in order to retrieve his ward from the museum, again. It seems that Aurelia manages to escape often and usually goes to the museum. What follows is Lisbeth becoming Aurelia's governess until she finds a new post and of course she brings Aurelia out of her shell and Lord Cotwell fall in love, the end. The story was not that surprising nor groundbreaking. Aurelia's only 'novice' in the story is that she's tall. Otherwise I found her to by a typical good-smart-kind-nurturing heroine. Lord Cotwell was made a bit more interesting in that he was also tall (taller than Lisbeth of course) and that he was an inventor. I thought the story would expound upon the inventions a bit but it was more of a personality trait for the character to make him seem more mysterious. I haven't written off the author but i'm not going to pain myself in finding her backlog of books.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
March 26, 2018
I really enjoyed Lisbeth and Edmund's story!
We start the story with Hestia observing a young woman and a little girl all by themselves in the museum. She approaches the woman, Lisbeth about keeping an eye on the little girl. The little girl, Aurelia, turns out to the be the ward of Edmund, Lord Cotwell. With a little fibbing on Aurelia's part, Lisbeth gets becomes her governess.
In the course of Lisbeth working for Edmund, they fall in love. But Lisbeth doesn't think she is good enough for Edmund. Can he change her mind with a little help from his minx of a ward?
This was a great additional to the Half Moon House series!
We start the story with Hestia observing a young woman and a little girl all by themselves in the museum. She approaches the woman, Lisbeth about keeping an eye on the little girl. The little girl, Aurelia, turns out to the be the ward of Edmund, Lord Cotwell. With a little fibbing on Aurelia's part, Lisbeth gets becomes her governess.
In the course of Lisbeth working for Edmund, they fall in love. But Lisbeth doesn't think she is good enough for Edmund. Can he change her mind with a little help from his minx of a ward?
This was a great additional to the Half Moon House series!
August 2, 2015
A very sweet novella that shows how people can help each other be more than they think they can be. I loved the characters. I loved how they were brought together. And most of all I loved how they helped each other heal and grow. The tertiary character of Hestia Wright was a delight as well. I would be interested to find more about her.
April 23, 2019
This was another delightful addition to the Half Moon House series. Hestia Wright has a second sense on a visit to the British Museum when she notices a woman carrying a portmanteau, obviously waiting for someone, and a child viewing an exhibit all alone. Without hesitation, Hestia asks the woman to keep an eye on the child until she returns. A large man appears, claiming to be the child's guardian, and thus begins the story of two people, both having experienced the disappointment of not meeting the expectations of 'polite society,' and a heartbroken child.
I really loved the characters, quickly and well-developed in this novella of slightly more than a hundred pages. Deb Marlowe creates just the right voice for each of these three people, enabling the reader to identify with their pain, loneliness, and fear, as they dare to dream of a hopeful future. This was a very complete selection, with an interesting plot and an unexpected foil presented in such a few pages.
I really loved the characters, quickly and well-developed in this novella of slightly more than a hundred pages. Deb Marlowe creates just the right voice for each of these three people, enabling the reader to identify with their pain, loneliness, and fear, as they dare to dream of a hopeful future. This was a very complete selection, with an interesting plot and an unexpected foil presented in such a few pages.
March 8, 2021
I am a fan of Ms Marlowe’s writing. This is a short story.
I am not sure why, but for me this was lacking something for me.
Aurelia is a little girl who lost her parents and has been given to a man, Lord Cotsworth, as his ward. There was another man. That man should have been her guardian, but he refused to even see her. Anything could have happened to that little girl.
Lisbeth is a young woman who has run away from home. By accident, she meets Aurelia and wants to help her. She feels connected to Aurelia, because she lost her father and now she has lost her home.
Edmund is a man who has isolated himself from the ton and become a near recluse. He loves Aurelia and wants to do the best for her.
He agrees for Lisbeth to be a governess, and then his housekeeper in order to give Aurelia some continuity and comfort.
I felt that there were too many missed chances, misunderstandings and just plain mistakes. I wanted more.
I am not sure why, but for me this was lacking something for me.
Aurelia is a little girl who lost her parents and has been given to a man, Lord Cotsworth, as his ward. There was another man. That man should have been her guardian, but he refused to even see her. Anything could have happened to that little girl.
Lisbeth is a young woman who has run away from home. By accident, she meets Aurelia and wants to help her. She feels connected to Aurelia, because she lost her father and now she has lost her home.
Edmund is a man who has isolated himself from the ton and become a near recluse. He loves Aurelia and wants to do the best for her.
He agrees for Lisbeth to be a governess, and then his housekeeper in order to give Aurelia some continuity and comfort.
I felt that there were too many missed chances, misunderstandings and just plain mistakes. I wanted more.
September 3, 2019
This was a lovely novella in the Half Moon House series. There were themes from both Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Lisbeth was only appreciated by her family for the work she could do, not her kindness, intelligence, and beauty. Edmund was a hulking man, who was awkward in Society, yet a brilliant inventor and philanthropist. When Lisbeth and Edmund's young ward, Aurelia, end up at the British Museum at the same time, it only takes a little nudge and behind the scenes management from Hestia Wright to set them all on a course to a better life.
I liked the gentle approach Lisbeth and Edmund took to bring Aurelia out of her shell, and also Lisbeth's efforts to bring Edmund back to life. It was a touching story that didn't try to force them to be something they were not.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
I liked the gentle approach Lisbeth and Edmund took to bring Aurelia out of her shell, and also Lisbeth's efforts to bring Edmund back to life. It was a touching story that didn't try to force them to be something they were not.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
June 24, 2020
Interesting story. A behind the scenes matchmaker, Hestia, works her magic on a lonely child, Aurelia, a young woman, Lisbeth, and a Baron Cotwell. I was impressed by how Lisbeth spoke to Aurelia engaging her in conversation by relating with her and making her feel at ease and not so lonely. Then Baron Cotwell enters the scene looking for Aurelia, his ward, who managed to escape his home and not for the first time. These characters interacted with each other in a unique way not expecting any change to upend their lives but upend it did and in a good way. I was a little thrown off by the explicit sex scene in here which to me was totally unnecessary. I wish these type of books would write a disclaimer stating the heat level of the book. If it weren’t for this scene I would have rated it a full five stars. I did like the HEA at the end with a little tease of a future book.
November 9, 2020
Entertaining, sweet and well written Regency era novella. Heroine Lisbeth doesn't think she is attractive, but she knows she is a good listener and has practical housekeeping skills. She is escaping a bad arranged marriage betrothal and meets Aurelia, a little girl at the Museum who convinces her guardian that Lisbeth is her new governess.
Edmund is our hero. A very tall man who due to events in his past where he was burned by a woman, has given up on finding love. He can see that Lisbeth is not what she seems, but regardless of her dubious claims of being sent by the governess agency, employs her anyway as she gets on so well with his ward.
Lisbeth and Edmund are a great pair who complement each other so well. A sweet story without angst or complex plot twists. I'd read this again. There is a mild descriptive love scene.
Edmund is our hero. A very tall man who due to events in his past where he was burned by a woman, has given up on finding love. He can see that Lisbeth is not what she seems, but regardless of her dubious claims of being sent by the governess agency, employs her anyway as she gets on so well with his ward.
Lisbeth and Edmund are a great pair who complement each other so well. A sweet story without angst or complex plot twists. I'd read this again. There is a mild descriptive love scene.
September 18, 2020
An Unexpected Encounter, book 1.5 in the Half Moon House series, by Deb Marlowe was a delightfully quick read and a delightfully enjoyable tale! Hestia Wright is known for helping women in trouble and when she sees two alone for hours in the British Museum, a few words spoken to one will rescue both. Miss Lisbeth Morton, was abandoned by a would-be suitor, so she won’t abandon a girl alone. When her trustee, Edmund, Baron Cotwold comes to claim Aurelia, the girl tells him Lisbeth is her new governess, which solves a problem for Lisbeth. Edmund suspects the truth, but is intrigued by Lisbeth. She stirs something in him that has been long dead, and something he doesn’t want to feel.
A truly great story with lots of feeling!
A truly great story with lots of feeling!
May 21, 2018
Lisbeth has run away from home - her stepfather wants her to marry a local squire in exchange for a prize bull. Her friend was supposed to meet her at the museum and take her to stay with his mother, but he does not show. Aurelia is a little girl who has lost her parents. Her guardian is too busy with his work (and secluding himself from society) to pay attention to her, so she frequently escapes to the museum, where she feels close to her father. Hestia brings Lisbeth and Aurelia together, and a bond is instantly formed. Enter the guardian, Lord Cotwell, and things start to get complicated.
September 11, 2020
A sweet short story. Lisbeth has had enough of her stepfather and left home. He was going to give her in marriage to an old man for a cow. A friend was supposed to help her, but he never showed. She is left with nowhere to go until she runs into a sweet little girl. When Aurelia’s guardian comes to find her, Aurelia decides that Lisbeth will be her new governess. Aurelia’s guardian is a reluctant guardian, but he wants to do right by her. He has closed himself off from everyone and is finding it difficult to let Aurelia into his life. Can he open his life to Lisbeth too?
August 30, 2024
Lisbeth is desperate to avoid the marriage her step-father is arranging. She reached out to a friend that she had made for help. He tells her to meet him at the museum and he and his mother will help her. Lisbeth shows up but he is nowhere to be found. Instead, Lisbeth finds Aurelia, a young girl at the museum without a guardian. This meeting changes Lisbeth’s life’s direction. Love watching Hestia pull strings!
February 23, 2018
A good short story about a woman namedLisbeth Moretonthat needed help,so she callson a friend. They are supposed to meet at tghe museum but instead she is stood up. The lady in charge,Hestia,asks her to watchover a little girl, which leeds to an encounter with the man that is in chargeof her,LordCotwell. Will they fall in love or will or will Elisabeth take another job? Well...
March 21, 2017
While a cute quick read, there really wasn't much depth. I also felt a little 'late to the party' feeling that some character development was left out. Knowing now that this is part of a series makes sense now. I think the story line would have worked better as a novel.
January 1, 2024
intriguing
Well written! Complex, intelligent, and creative characters, with twisted backstories! The plot lines are contorted, with hairpin turns, and blind corners! Well done Ms. Marlowe!
Well written! Complex, intelligent, and creative characters, with twisted backstories! The plot lines are contorted, with hairpin turns, and blind corners! Well done Ms. Marlowe!
March 14, 2017
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I was in love with this one from the start! When Hestia gets involved I'm never sure how things are going to happen, but know it will have some twists and a great ending. I loved how Aurelia was so quick to make up a story at first and everything that involved her. I wasn't expecting the small twist with Lisbeth's trustee or everything with James Vickers. One of my favorite parts involved little girls following on Lord Cotwell's his heels.
Lisbeth is a very brave and strong woman that didn't fully panic when her plans fell through. She had a very good reason to run from her family and a way of understanding people. I loved how she was with Aurelia and when she took over the household.
Lord Cotwell is a very smart man and honorable. He is my favorite kind of hero because he of things he does in his lab and that he didn't blink an eye at taking Aurelia and would do anything for her. I loved how quick he was to defend people he cared about and how he came out of his shell.
I was in love with this one from the start! When Hestia gets involved I'm never sure how things are going to happen, but know it will have some twists and a great ending. I loved how Aurelia was so quick to make up a story at first and everything that involved her. I wasn't expecting the small twist with Lisbeth's trustee or everything with James Vickers. One of my favorite parts involved little girls following on Lord Cotwell's his heels.
Lisbeth is a very brave and strong woman that didn't fully panic when her plans fell through. She had a very good reason to run from her family and a way of understanding people. I loved how she was with Aurelia and when she took over the household.
Lord Cotwell is a very smart man and honorable. He is my favorite kind of hero because he of things he does in his lab and that he didn't blink an eye at taking Aurelia and would do anything for her. I loved how quick he was to defend people he cared about and how he came out of his shell.
April 16, 2018
This was a very sweet love story about an unlikely pair brought together by fate and a certain lady. Well written with likeable characters.
December 31, 2018
Cute short story
March 29, 2021
This was a good book and I wish I’d read it before the rest of the series. It can be read as a standalone book but I always love to read a series in order.
June 8, 2023
Both the Hero and the Heroine were fantastic characters where they brought in each other what they were meant to achieve!
October 15, 2013
A novella length tie-in to Deb Marlowe’s Half Moon House series, An Unexpected Encounter was sweet Regency Romance, perfect to the time in feel. I haven’t read the first book in the series, but I will be picking it up, since the premise is too good to resist. Reminiscent of Heidi Fleiss and her notorious black book, the heroine in this story meets one of the fallen women at the museum, and is convinced to keep watch over a child that appears to be without supervision or family.
Lisbeth is at a crossroads herself, and is perfectly delightful in her manner and approach, while not having a solid sense of her own place in the world at the moment, she is at loose ends but not so self-involved as to be callous to the needs of others. When she encounters Lord Cotwell, and their dynamic starts to turn into one that is more than simple employer / employee, the story is sweetly romantic.
There are no great plot twists or turns, this feels like a ‘filler’ story to set more pieces in place for the series, and give a moment to characters that may not be fully explored in the series length books. Delightfully sweet and light, this story will convince you, as it did me, to explore the series and this author’s work.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Lisbeth is at a crossroads herself, and is perfectly delightful in her manner and approach, while not having a solid sense of her own place in the world at the moment, she is at loose ends but not so self-involved as to be callous to the needs of others. When she encounters Lord Cotwell, and their dynamic starts to turn into one that is more than simple employer / employee, the story is sweetly romantic.
There are no great plot twists or turns, this feels like a ‘filler’ story to set more pieces in place for the series, and give a moment to characters that may not be fully explored in the series length books. Delightfully sweet and light, this story will convince you, as it did me, to explore the series and this author’s work.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
December 4, 2016
Unique and heartwarming governess romance
I am impressed with Deb Marlowe's astute grasp of the subtleties of human nature and interactions. The tenderness between the young lady Lizbeth and 8-year-old Aurelia is really touching. Aurelia is such a lovely child dealing with the grief of her parents' deaths. Lord Cotsworth is an idiosyncratic, reclusive man who has been hiding from society in a way, but this young girl becomes his ward. The hero and heroine were both likable and admirable. Excellent and must-read example of governess-themed romance. FYI, there is only one somewhat steamy love scene.
The subtle strategizing by characters reminds me of Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister series. Courtney Milan fans should try this Half Moon series by Deb Marlowe, especially this one. I also really love that this novella is bookended with scenes showcasing how the smart and bold Hestia Wright, an illustrious former courtesan, is finding someone to help. I do not know of any other historical romance series doing anything quite like it. Furthermore, we see a fascinatingly intimate moment of Hestia's letting us know a secret from her past.
I am impressed with Deb Marlowe's astute grasp of the subtleties of human nature and interactions. The tenderness between the young lady Lizbeth and 8-year-old Aurelia is really touching. Aurelia is such a lovely child dealing with the grief of her parents' deaths. Lord Cotsworth is an idiosyncratic, reclusive man who has been hiding from society in a way, but this young girl becomes his ward. The hero and heroine were both likable and admirable. Excellent and must-read example of governess-themed romance. FYI, there is only one somewhat steamy love scene.
The subtle strategizing by characters reminds me of Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister series. Courtney Milan fans should try this Half Moon series by Deb Marlowe, especially this one. I also really love that this novella is bookended with scenes showcasing how the smart and bold Hestia Wright, an illustrious former courtesan, is finding someone to help. I do not know of any other historical romance series doing anything quite like it. Furthermore, we see a fascinatingly intimate moment of Hestia's letting us know a secret from her past.
November 12, 2013
This little novella, provided by the publisher through netgalley, is a really rather pleasant way to fill time between two books. It's not earth-shatteringly wonderful, but it's far more solid than most.
Unusually, there are several really quite strong, relatively complex characters. Of course, there's a hero and heroine, but there's also a little girl, and what I'd describe as an anti-hero, who is starting to realize the error of his ways. There is also a mysterious woman, who I guess ties the stories together, although I'm not sure she really adds much.
This novella gets a lot right. It focuses on the plot and the characters, and keeps everything really quite tight. It doesn't go off into side-stories and doesn't focus an awful lot on sexy bits. The little girl isn't irritating either, but is clearly a rounded person in her own way.
The background to the story sounds rather contrived, but it all made for a satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to reading others in this series.
3 stars. I enjoyed it.
Unusually, there are several really quite strong, relatively complex characters. Of course, there's a hero and heroine, but there's also a little girl, and what I'd describe as an anti-hero, who is starting to realize the error of his ways. There is also a mysterious woman, who I guess ties the stories together, although I'm not sure she really adds much.
This novella gets a lot right. It focuses on the plot and the characters, and keeps everything really quite tight. It doesn't go off into side-stories and doesn't focus an awful lot on sexy bits. The little girl isn't irritating either, but is clearly a rounded person in her own way.
The background to the story sounds rather contrived, but it all made for a satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to reading others in this series.
3 stars. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews