Book Review: The Innkeeper's Daughter (The Gentlemen's Spy Mysteries #1)

 

The Innkeeper's Daughter

Bianca M. Schwarz

4/5

Since her parent's death, Eliza has had a rather difficult time. Her stepfather is abusive and agreed to forcing her into a marriage with an even more abusive old man. After her stepfather tries to beat her into submission, she runs away and encounters Sir Henry on the street. He saves her life and brings her into his world of espionage and clandestine affairs.

I'll start with a trigger warning, this book contains depictions of sex trafficking that could be difficult for some people to read. This book also has a couple of spicier scenes, but I think they're written without being too overwhelming. 

When I first started reading, I really was doubting that I would like it. I had a difficult time liking the characters considering the inevitability that I saw in the ending. I just couldn't help not liking them though, there was such a nice mutual respect built from such unlikely and unequal circumstances. I think that regency romances can tend to ignore the harsh realities of the time period in favor of the more fantastical approaches and the desire to display love's ability to conquer anything. Not saying that there are particularly harsh elements of this book or some kind of tragic romance, it just follows the natural progression of what could be expected from a relationship between two individuals of such disparate circumstances. Again though, the respect and consideration that they showed for one another is something very beautiful and unique that you won't see in many books labeled romances. Their relationship is sappy at points and over the top, but they aren't the kind of characters who abandon reality and their responsibilities.

Eliza is a strong heroine despite how horribly life has treated her. She rises above her circumstances, she isn't whiny about anything that happens to her, and she's insanely clever. I hope that the next book in the series continues to explore how much of an asset she would be to any kind of espionage, I'll love seeing how these characters all grow and progress from this first novel. 

I would recommend it for people who like regency romance but want a darker twist. This isn't a fairy tale, it's not a tragedy but it has more of a real life twist to it that really enhances the experience. Special shout out to NetGalley and Central Ave. Publishing for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!