The Mistake by Lily Maxton – a Review

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Description:
Childhood love never disappears…

Infamous courtesan Julia Forsythe is the former mistress of a ruthless marquess. She’s also expecting his child. But while she longs to flee from his cold clutches, the welfare of her unborn babe prevents it. Now she must find a way to remain a “mistress” in name, if not in deed. And her plans are only complicated by a growing affection for the estate’s head gardener…

Fifteen years ago, Adam Radcliff once shared a close friendship with Julia. Now they stand worlds apart in both lives and statuses, sharing only the memory of that old friendship. But even as Julia slips out of the marquess’s lascivious clutches, she finds herself seeking the pleasure of Adam’s company. Now Adam is falling more deeply for Julia, even knowing that wanting another man’s mistress will only bring ruin upon them both.



Review:

The Mistake by Lily Maxton is a historical romance set in London in the 1800’s and is part of the Sisters of Scandal series. A wonderfully romantic era it was also an era that had little security for women. Not many avenues to advance themselves financially without marrying a rich or titled man. This is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style.

The prolog begins in London, 1802. Adam Radcliff, a young man of 16, a poor Irish/English child without much prospect goes looking for his runaway friend and first love, Julie Forsythe. Her father has died after years of drinking since the death of her mother, and she’s overwhelmed with fear of being poor all her life. He finds her but she’s already met a Lord Stanley and he’s suddenly aware that she can have more of the security she needs with this man than with him, so he lets her go by stepping into the shadows and leaving.

Fifteen years later the story picks up with Julia now the mistress of Henry Eldridge, the Marquess of Riverton. While she detests the man, she is also pregnant with his child and has a contract with him that he will provide for the child a specified amount and even an education if she will fulfill her part of the contract and be available sexually to him for as long as he wants her. She makes him think she’s ill and he sends her to his country estate of Blakewood Hall by herself for a month. She finds Adam again, he’s the head gardener at the estate.

That’s the setup, I think everyone will enjoy this intriguing tale of love and life, things we think we need and things we truly need. It’s well written with the talented author using time to relate the tale of the two young people in love, and the background of their stories. It’s an intricate but fast paced story of rediscovering self and others, a good look into the society of the time. Will true love win, or will security and greed overcome yet again?

Grab a good beverage, a few tissues and snuggle up for a lovely quick read. You’ll love it! I did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher