3.5 stars rounded up. Eleanor had seemed very insightful in the two previous books, but I felt like she lost most of that quality in this one. She remained likable though. Also, the first 2/3s of the book or so felt more engaging to me than the end, but it wasn't a bad ending. I think the whole thing would have been stronger with a bit more editing. ( )

So much angst. Eleanor Sutherland survived her father's poor parenting but she doesn't want to make the mistake her mother did and she wants love from her life. Camden West is determined to avenge his mother on the Sutherlands and Eleanor is a good target until he starts finding her too interesting, to involving, too distracting. Can they both overcome the lies and create a future for themselves?

It's a romance, of course they can but the path was interesting and the characters well drawn. There was a teaser of the follow up book and I reallly want to read that now. ( )

Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor (The Sutherland Sisters) by Anna Bradley  
Two sisters joined in blood, united by scandal.  Anna Bradley knows how to tantalize, that's for sure.  Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is a romance born of scandal, but forged out of love.  Eleanor is thrust into a situation that forces her to chose between self - preservation and family loyalty.  Her choices are limited but her heart is pure.  Camden is more a mystery.  The motives that drive his devious plan are more far reaching than just him marrying.  They involve secrets that encompass the Sutherland and West families and could ruin not only reputations, but lead to heartbreak for all involved.  Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is regency at it's finest.  Full of surprises and breathtakingly wonderful. ( )

A wonderful cat and mouse game!

If ever a woman was caught in the cross hairs of a deadly game, even as the reason for its very being is a deep mystery, that is Eleanor Sutherland. If ever a man stalked his prey so efficiently then that hunter is Camden West.
From the very beginning I was caught up in the manoeuvre that Cam had instigated against Eleanor using her sister Charlotte. The lengths he is prepared to go to punish her are puzzling. What he punishing her for is even more so. Is it just because she appears cold and unfeeling? Lady Frost is the name Eleanor has been given. Bets are placed on her at White's. She has her own page!
As the story develops we and Cam discover that he has badly underestimated and misjudged Ellie. As she turns the tables on him things look hopeful but always Ellie is taken by surprise by yet another layer that is added to the equation.
It isn't until the end that we start to see the truth. By that time it appears too late for Cam and Ellie.
Each has taken a stand and that stand may unravel them.
How can we fault Ellie for her support of her sister Charlotte?
Cam's cousin Julian has the right of it when he said, 'I don’t like it. This is badly done, Cam.'
It was badly done, and as the story progresses those words will haunt Cam, and the suffering brought about by his actions will be borne by more than just Cam.
I surged through the reading of this unwilling to take a time out. I just needed to see things through to the end.
A fantastic read!

A NetGalley ARC ( )

Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor by Anna Bradley
The Sutherland Sisters #1

First book in a series and first book I have read by this author – it won’t be the last. In fact, I am eager to read Charlotte’s story when it is out.

Eleanor’s father was not a nice man and treated her family abysmally. Siblings, mother and self were only relieved when he finally died. She, as a result of seeing her mother’s unhappiness, has determined she will only marry for love and so far her brother has assisted her in this endeavor by turning wannabe husbands away. Well, along comes someone intent on having her for his wife and that person is wealthy self-made man Camden West. His reasons for her coercing her into marriage, he believes, are just. His cousin Julian disagrees. His much younger sister, Amelia, has not a clue. Eleanor is NOT inclined to be forced to marry someone she doesn’t love but she does love her sister so sets out to thwart Camden in his plans. A battle of wits ensues as Eleanor and Camden spend time together…secrets are eventually revealed and a HEA achieved…though it is a rocky path for a while and especially rocky for Eleanor’s sister, Charlotte, and Cam’s cousin, Julian.

This was a deeper book than many historical romances. The characters were complex as was the plot. The growth of the characters was enjoyable to observe as were the interactions between main and supporting characters. I was left feeling that sometimes getting what one wants or thinks one wants is not all that one might want it to be. I do believe Eleanor and Camden will be happy together and want to hear more about them in Charlotte’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars ( )