The Marquess's Masked Archer by Abbey Downey Review

 

The Marquess's Masked Archer by Abbey Downey is an amazing start to her Headliners and Heartstrings series. It drew me in from the first page and if I hadn't had responsibilities to tend to, I would have finished this book in just a couple of days. I did NOT want to put it down. 

Sylvie Bryce is a young woman who just wants the chance to prove to her parents, mostly her overbearing mother, that she can make important decisions on her own. Especially the decision of who she wants to spend the rest of her life wed too. But she also wants to have some independence, and has decided to spend some of her summer participating in something she loves to do, archery. Which, is an acceptable past time for women of her station back in the beginning of the 20th century. However, having a job, making a spectacle of herself, using her archery in a show at a resort, is NOT something that is acceptable. So, she is doing so in disguise. 

Miles Wentworth is the marquess who she meets at one of the events she is obligated to attend. A man her mother wants to pair her up with because of his title. So, of course Sylvie wants nothing to do with him, as he is her mother's choice for her. He is sought after by many of the young ladies; however, his eye is set on Sylvie. And he wants to prove to her that he is worth falling for, even though it would mean giving her mother the satisfaction of being right. But, he too has a secret he is keeping from everyone. 

I loved watching Sylvie and Miles get to know each other better, even though they were doing so without both of them realizing it. They struggled with not knowing how the other was feeling while trying to keep secrets from each other. But as they got closer, and their feelings became clearer to themselves, they both desired to clear the air, so to speak. However, there were other circumstances going on that twisted things even more, including some blackmailing which really got under my skin.  

I was 100% rooting for them in every aspect of what they desired. I loved this glimpse into high society off on their summer vacation in a real historic setting. And though there were secrets and deception, it was obvious that it was wrong, and I loved that Sylvie and Miles were seeking for God's will in their lives, even through heartache and difficult times. 

I absolutely loved this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this Christian historical romance. 

I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.