The Innkeeper's Daughter

At the request of his mentor, Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambler and rogue to expose a plot against England’s king.  The best way to insert himself in the suspects’ inner circle, is to pursue Lady Louisa Coburn’s hand in marriage.  While he spends his days at the Blue Hedge Inn, however, he finds himself falling in love with the innkeeper’s daughter.

Preoccupied with trying to earn enough money to pay off the inn’s debts, Johanna Langley doesn’t have time for Alex’s flirtations.  Alex’s help around the inn eventually breaks down Johanna’s defenses, though.  Can Alex find and arrest the dangerous conspirators before Johanna finds out about his sham of an engagement?  Will both of their attempts to secure a future save them, or put everyone they love in danger? 

As usual, Michelle Griep takes readers on a fast-paced, intriguing adventure in The Innkeeper’s Daughter.  The plot’s twists and turns and the entertaining cast of characters made the novel nearly impossible to put down.  Griep uses Johanna’s desperation to keep her family out of the poorhouse, Alex’s need to complete one last mission, Mrs. Langley’s quiet wisdom, Mr. Quail’s antics, and Mr. Nutbrown’s oddities to tell a truly beautiful story.  This complexity makes Johanna’s and Alex’s love story compelling rather than frustrating, and the ending very satisfying.  The Innkeeper’s Daughter may very well be my favorite book from Griep yet. 

 I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.