His Secret Mistress by Cathy Maxwell

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women, #1

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Kate Addison and Brandon “Bran” Balfour have a history, fifteen years ago they were in love and shared an amazing night of passion, but the very next day everything changes when they each believe the other betrayed them. But fate isn’t done with this duo and they meet again in the small town of Maidenshop.

Bran left England after Kate betrayed him for a man with money and a title, he made a fortune and became a well-respected architect, he returned to England when he learned of his brother in law’s passing and became guardian to his nephew – Christopher, the new Duke of Winderton. The dukedom was nearly bankrupt and Bran has worked hard for these past years restoring his nephew’s legacy. He is back in Maidenshop licking his wounds after a bridge design project he has been working on for a year is suddenly looking at other designs. He joins his friends Dr. Ned Thurlowe and “ Mars” the Earl of Marsden at the local tavern – the Garland – they have a club – The Logical Men’s Society – for bachelors only, a state that all three are happy to maintain. Bran was enjoying a drink with his friends when he gets an urgent summons from his sister – Lucy, the widowed Duchess. Lucy is beside herself – Christopher has announced he is in love with an actress and is going to marry her! Bran brushes aside her concerns until he learns the actress’ name – Kate Addison!

Kate’s life has gone through many changes since her affair with Bran, the man she loved who cruelly betrayed her. She left London not long after that night, returned home and buried her parents, then her brother inherited a dukedom, and Kate returned to acting, starting her own small troupe and performing plays she has written herself. She is working towards her goal – to perform in London again and she is so close! If not for a broken wagon, she would be on her way right now, but instead she is in Maidenshop, fending off the lovesick Duke of Winderton and trying not to lose her patience with him, she believes she has everything under control until HE shows up, she is surprised at her reaction and how angry she is – but she pretends to not know him. However when he acts like he was the injured party and threatens to have her run out of town, Kate fights back!

It is not long before our lovers talk and the truth comes out – they were both betrayed and both assumed the worst about the other. Can they rekindle the love they once shared or has too much time passed?

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and flowed nicely. It had likeable lead characters, a believable scenario that torn them apart, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, a lot of emotion, some laughs, some tears, even some anger and healing. The ending was not what I was expecting and at first I didn’t think it was going to work, but it was perfect and exactly what the story needed. This is the first book in a new series, but you may recognize Kate as Matthew’s sister from The Duke That I Marry, if you liked her in that book – you are going to love her in this one! I am happy to recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next book! Please note – the edition I read was an Uncorrected Proof, so my review is based on the assumption that the title errors and other mistakes will be corrected prior to publication.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected e-arc that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*