Heath Grenville is the heir to a baronetcy and is part of the London elite.  He is known as the problem-solver among the Ton.  His mother is pressuring his sisters to find husbands, so Heath tells his mother he is looking for a wife to take pressure off of them.  



Miss Eleanora Winfield was raised on a sheep farm by her grandparents and as they age, Nora and her brother have been running the farm.  Her cousin is in need of a paid companion and summons Nora to London.  At one of the many balls, Nora spills a drink on Heath.    Heath is intrigued by the young woman and disappointed to find out that she is a paid companion.  He is drawn to Nora and starts finding ways to visit her cousin so he can see Nora.  



Nora is intrigued by the handsome heir, but she has a deep secret that she can't even divulge to the Ton's secret keeper.  Will it get in the way of their love?



I absolutely loved this book.  I liked how as the story progressed, Nora's character developed.  She started off meek and shy.  By the end of the book, she was confident and in love with Heath.  I also liked how her relationship with her cousin grew into a friendship.  The caricatures were a brilliant sub-plot.  I liked how Nora used a caricature to subtly get back at a dandy who made fun of Lady Roundtree.  



I received a complimentary ARC from the author and NetGalley  Thank you!

4.5 stars.

Heath Grenville, is heir to the Grenville barony, older brother to Dahlia, Camellia and Bryony and the secret-keeper/problem solver of the ton. He has promised his mother that he will pick a bride this season and marry. His bride will of course have the proper bloodlines, wealth and connections to be a future Baroness and while he secretly has hopes and dreams of a much different life, he accepts that this is the life he was born into and has a duty to the title.


Eleanora "Nora" Winfield is Heath's complete opposite, orphaned and taken in by her ailing grandparents, Nora has worked non-stop for years trying to keep her family fed. When the chance to act as a temporary companion to her distant cousin arises, she takes it. London society has been an eye opening experience for Nora. In London she is invisible and as a paid companion, she is treated pretty much as a servant. Nora has secrets too, first she has problems reading and writing and second she is an artist. For fun she sent some cartoonish drawings home to her family and is horrified to learn that her brother sold them and the publisher wants more - paying more than she is earning as a companion! She doesn't like the idea of doing scandalous cartoons, but how can she deprive her family of the much needed funds?? She reasons that she is not creating gossip and she is never intentionally cruel. She meets Heath at a ball and is immediately smitten - as is he. He is disappointed to learn that she is not of his class and therefore is not baroness material - but he can't seem to stay away.


When Lady Roundtree (Nora's cousin/employer) hires Heath to unmask the mysterious cartoonist - they end up spending more and more time together. After a print of his sister is released, Heath is furious and redoubles his efforts to find the artist. He also decides that Nora is the woman for him despite the difference in their stations and decides to court her.

But when Nora's secrets are revealed, will Heath be able to forgive her for her deception?


I thought this was a great read, not too heavy, but clearly giving insight into the class differences in regency England. I loved Nora, she is a loving, loyal and generous person, Heath was a wonderful friend and brother, but a bit of a snob. The secondary characters are great and his sisters are priceless, the love scenes are warm and well done. I did feel like the ending/conflict resolution was a bit rushed and quickly resolved. I loved that the last chapter was 4 months later and then there was an epilogue as well - BONUS! This book is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone title with no problems. If you have been following the series, you will probably recognize some events as this book's timeline is the same as Lord of Pleasure.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Heath is know for protecting the secrets of the ton and now he want to reveal a secret. Who is the person drawing the caricatures. Eleanora Winfield is only helping out her family. When the two meet it is attraction for both but they know nothing can come of it. A nice outing with both characters yearning but looking like nothing can come of it. I liked both and was glad when Heath finally started thinking about his happiness instead of trying to be something he was not. Now if they can just get over Eleanora's art.

I received an ARC of the book.

LORD OF SECRETS was a delightful read! The book clearly delineates the Regency standards of the "haves" versus the "have nots" in such a way as to find yourself empathizing with both groups.  Poor Nora is summoned to London by a distant cousin to act as companion. Heath is a man-about-town and heir to a barony. They meet by accident (literally!) and gradually come to enjoy a quiet friendship.

However, Nora has several secrets and she is so anxious that Heath not discover them.  One has to do with how she is earning money to send home to keep the family farm afloat and the other is something she considers a deep failure on her part.

I truly loved the way the author dropped names from her previous books into this one, but please be assured that you do NOT need to have read any others to find enormous enjoyment in this one.   This is truly a stand-alone and a delightful one at that. Those small dropped names are just little hidden gems for those readers who follow Erica Ridley's writing. 

Overall, it is my opinion that this is one of the more sterling examples of this author's writing. It's a can't miss!

Lord of Secrets (Rogues to Riches, #5) by Erica Ridley is a fun, romantic Regency Romance. While #5 in this wonderful series, it can be read as a stand alone. 
This is the story of Heath Grenville, the ton's problem solver and Miss Eleanora Winfield (Nora). Nora has a huge secret, one that can could  the budding romance between herself and Heath when he learns her secret.
 Well crafted with charming and engaging characters.  The storyline fun,  humorous, with interesting dialogue,  secrets, romance, a villain,  an adorable pug puppy, and a HEA.  The reader will find reocurring characters from Ms Ridley's previous books,  which is always wonderful to visit with again. I enjoyed Heath and Nora's love story, their challenges and their relationship. For a fun romp in Regency England,  pick up LORD OF SECRETS by Erica Ridley.  Makes for some wonderful summer reading. Strongly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy,  however,  all opinions are my own. 

Rating: 4.5

I loved Heath and Nora's story!!

Heath and Nora are both intrigued by each other upon meeting, but because he is a Lord and she a companion, nothing could ever come of it. But as they come to spend more and more time together, it is something else entirely that could keep them apart...

I loved this addition to the Rogues to Riches story. It does take place at the same time as some of the other books in the series, so you get another perspective to some of the things that happened.

I'm excited to see what Ridley comes up with next for this wonderful series!

Lord of Secrets may be Erica Ridley’s best book so far.  She has brought together two people who are from opposite sides of London society.  Both are reminded constantly by others that they could never be together, not purposefully.  It is just the way of their ‘stations’ in life.  Heath the heir and Nora the sheep farmer’s granddaughter.  Yet, they are alike in so many ways.  They both love art, love their families, take care of and protect their families.  Nora and her brother were raised by their grandparents.  Heath never sees his father, the Baron.  His mother is demanding he marry for the future of said baronetcy.

Nora innocently becomes the drawer of caricatures that are turning the ton on their ear.  She has a reading disability and has taught herself to draw her thoughts.  Nora sent her drawings home to her brother to share with him those situations she found fun or even ridiculous.  Without her permission, those pictures turn up in the gossip sheets.  Her brother wants more so he can send them in because they pay really well.

Heath, the keeper of secrets, is offended on behalf of society.  It becomes personal when his friends and family become the object of the pictures.  Nora thought she was defending his sister, but Heath did not see it that way.  When needed, Nora’s pencil could even be a bit wicked in defense of others. 

Nora’s cousin, for whom she is currently working as a companion, wants to know the name of the artist and hires Heath to uncover said artist.  Nora feels she must continue because of the funds it is providing for her brother and elderly grandparents.  But, she falls more deeply in love every day and worries Heath will realize it is she, the artist of the drawings.

Two of Heath’s sister’s stories, The Lord of Pleasure and Lord of Night, makes this book all the more enjoyable.  Ms. Ridley’s gift is interweaving her characters so you never really leave them behind.  Having read Camellia and Wainwright’s story and Dahlia and Simon's story, remembering the events as they happened to them and are now concurrent with Nora and Heath made these characters feel like your own friends.

Miss Eleanora Winfield is taking care of her cousin, who had broken her leg. She was a country girl and lived with her brother and aging grandparents. They were so poor and she and her brother work very long hours. Heath Grenville was to be a baronet when his father died. He had 3 sisters and his mother to take care of. He had his own fortune beside the barony, but so wished to own a gallery.
I really enjoyed the interaction between the characters. the Grenville family was something else, they were playful, loving and kind to each other, the same for her family. Although we do not see much of her family. The story is well written, and it keeps your interest. I have read several of Erica Ridley books and I can say, how her books are wonderful and worth the time to read.

Heath has always been a man of honor, he plays the games of the ton with ease, becoming the discreet problem-solver for London’s Elite. His future has been set for him, his duty to his family comes naturally, but when he meets a refreshing young lady born “beneath” is station, he will find his heart doesn’t care if the eligible bachelor becomes the next juicy scandal for wagging tongues.

Nora, a distant cousin to the Lady Roundtree has left the family sheep farm to work as a paid companion to help keep the farm afloat. Out of her league, unprepared for the opulence of the titled and wealthy, she is never the less immediately smitten by the dashing Heath.

How could she know, her dirty little secret could possibly be uncovered by the man who stole her heart, the man whose calling is ferreting out even the darkest of truths?

Erica Ridley’s LORD OF SECRETS is THAT read, THAT romance that is more fun than frenzy, more sweet than bitter and definitely should be headlining that summer reading list as two people throw caution to the wind in an attempt to follow their hearts while one secret threatens to derail a future filled with love.

One again, Erica Ridley pours on the heat, the humor and the hysterics of the Ton while serving up yet another fabulous historical romance that leaves readers smiling! Wonderfully drawn characters, cleverly placed humor, and a sweet romance without theatrics and vapors! 

I received a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion!

Series: Rogues to Riches - Book 5
Publication Date: June 15, 2018
Publisher: WebMotion
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This one is cute and clever, but without a lot of tension or heat between the couple

I LOVE IT, I cannot express myself enough this book is simply delightful, I have grown to love and expect the unexpected from Erica Ridley books, and this one was no exception. This book had me smiling from beginning to the I especially love how Eleanora dealt with a stallion among men priceless. Heath was a real gentleman even when he got royal pissed or and Mrs. Roundtree she played her part flawlessly. Everything about this book is good, even the cover which is gently stated, psst I am eagerly awaiting the next, Great job Erica Ridley a masterpiece crafted by a master.

Three and a half stars.

Miss Eleanora (Nora) Winfield has been summoned from her family's sheep farm in the West Midlands to act as a lady's companion to her (distant) cousin Lady Roundtree whilst that lady recovers from a fractured ankle. She's homesick and lonely, treated as a servant, invisible and overlooked she finds her employer catty and an incurable gossip but eight weeks work as a paid companion could help her brother and aged grandparents enormously, taking them from the brink of destitution to almost comfortable so she'll grit her teeth and get on with it.

At Lord Carlisle's ball Nora runs into a handsome gentleman by accident whilst carrying a glass of lemonade to her employer. The gentleman is the first person to actually 'see' Nora and she is struck by his good looks and his charming manners. Later in the evening the gentleman, Mr Heath Grenville, approaches her to ask her to dance and is horrified to discover that she is little better than a servant (and consequently far beneath the heir to a baronetcy).

Heath Grenville is the older brother of three sisters, two of whom have had their own books. He is very aware that his duty to his family and his future role is to marry a woman of impeccable lineage, one who will not bring any hint of scandal to the family. Yet he can't help but remember a young woman with red hair and a pink dress who acts as a companion to Lady Roundtree.

Nora sends drawings and caricatures of the people and places she sees in London back to her family, partly because she has difficulty reading and writing but partly to share her life with them. Unfortunately her brother shares some of the caricatures (anonymously) with a contact and the next thing she knows her sketch of Lord Wainwright, which she laughingly titled 'Lord of Pleasure' has been published in a London newspaper and is the talk of the ton. Not only that, the paper will pay her five pounds for every caricature she sends them - provided of course that they are of the ton. Nora is torn between wanting to earn money to help her family and horror at being exposed as the artist who dared to lampoon a member of the aristocracy - she knows if the artist's identity is discovered she will be sacked and bring censure down upon her cousin's family.

This was immediately gripping, I love a romance featuring a lowly lady's companion, especially one who draws vicious caricatures of the stupidity and ridiculousness of high society and throw in an untameable puppy and you've got me hooked. It would have got a higher rating if Heath hadn't come across as a leetle bit of a prig, so dismissive of all the eligible young ladies of the ton and so judgemental if they so much as smiled in his direction, despite his own mother's obsession with marrying off each of her offspring. I also felt that there was a lack of angst/ tension - whilst that was a twist to confound my expectations it also felt like the ending slightly puttered out.

Nevertheless, another fun read from Erica Ridley. I am SO stoked about the next book ... can't wait.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Enjoyed it

What I liked:
The writing style 
The characters 
Dual POVs 
Part of a series: Rogues to Riches
Standalone 
HEA 
Epilogue 

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Love the intense and touching way that Ms Ridley wrote the story. Fate that pulls them together and yet circumstances that will destroy the love.

Great read from start to finish. Hooked me from the start. Likeable characters and great chemistry. Really builds as it goes

Of the series, I think that Lord of Secrets, is my all time favorite. Nora is so innocent in the ways that the Ton works. And Heath is a master at keeping it's secrets and fixing them.of course they will be perfect together.

Heath Grenville is extremely conflicted.  He has devoted his life to investigating and protecting society’s secrets.  The heir to a baronetcy, he wishes for everything to proceed just so in high society.  His problem is that his father ignores him and the rest of the family and his three younger sisters could give a flip for Society’s rules.  He loves and admires his sisters and has to struggle to support them in their chosen dreams even if that takes them outside polite society.

However, he’s determined that he will do everything according to the rules when it comes to picking a wife.  But none of the debutantes twittering around him appeal at all.  The woman who does appeal is totally beyond acceptability.  Nora Winfield is the granddaughter of a sheep farmer and paid companion to a second cousin, a pillar of high society.  Nora is also hiding secrets from Heath - that she has dyslexia and that she is the artist behind a series of cleverly-drawn caricatures of high society that are infuriating Heath and which he’s contracted to stop.  However, the two are attracted to each other even though he shouldn’t love a woman so far below him much less one whose caricatures have lampooned even his only family.

While at times Heath was a very nice guy, other times he was just a bit too sanctimonious.  If he loved his sisters so deeply, why was he still so committed to fighting anything going against Society’s strictures?  

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.