Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Suitors and Sabotage

by Cindy Anstey

Swoon Reads

April 18, 2018

331 pages

Plot: Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.

Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother's intended.

But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of "accidents," it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . . (2019, Goodreads).

Review:  Cindy Anstey is one of my favorite Young Adult historical romance writers and she has another winner in Suitors and Sabotage!  Anstey takes on a very complicated situation in any romance and adds a dangerous twist to it!  Imogene is supposed to fall in love with Ernest Steeple.  She is expected to accept a marriage proposal from him too. But, love is not something you can plan or manipulate.  So, when Imogene realizes that she has feelings for Ernest's brother Ben, and that her best friend Emily does too, she doesn't know what to do.  But, Imogene is not the kind of person who would hurt anyone, and hiding her feelings is the hardest thing she's ever had to do. 

Meanwhile, there are several "incidents" that keep putting Ben in mortal danger and Imogene is sure that they are not accidental.  Between trying to sort out her feelings, keeping Emily, Ben, and Ernest from discovering her true desires, and trying to figure out who is out to hurt Ben, Imogene has a lot on her plate. With the risk of her father disowning her if she refuses a perfectly good marriage proposal from Ernest, Imogene must make the hardest decision of her life: a life alone or a marriage with a man she doesn't love.

You will definitely wonder how Imogene handles it all in the end and if she ever finds her happily ever after.  Can't wait to read the next Cindy Anstey novel!

Rating: 4 Hearts!

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*A DRC was given for an honest review.