This is my first novel written by Ms. Ibbotson. I can honestly say that I wasn't a big fan of the book. It was hard to get into. I still think the book was well written, it just didn't hold my attention. The characters well written and the plot was decent.

I enjoyed this book. I thoroughly loved the mixing of cultures and language present in this novel. I think Ms Ibbotsen a talent author who I am eager to read more work from. The characters were fun and believable and the plot interesting but not to overly convoluted we lost the story. Overall I'd say this book a excellent show of talent by the author and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read and return feedback on this novel.

It’s 1803 and widowed aristocrat Sophy De Browarec must flee France after being exposed as an undercover British agent. Fearing for her life, she returns to Cornwall to seek help from the only living link to her past. Fitzwilliam ‘Fitz’ Ravensbourne. Lord Ravensbourne has suffered his own share of misfortune and it’s left its mark in more ways than one. He has become a near recluse at the Ravensbourne Estate, but still reluctantly accepts Sophy into his home. Sophy and Fitz’s relationship is strained and her return could bring danger to Ravensbourne – but there is something that prevents Fitz from casting her out, something almost forbidden.
This was a great quick read that I enjoyed. I liked both main characters and the overall story. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

It took a little bit for me to get into this story. It starts out a bit slow but picks up with adventure and mystery. The hero and heroine were suppose to become step siblings but the heroines mother passed away before it could happen. The hero has a tragic past and he allows it to control his life in its entirety. The heroine has lived through hell and worse, and now must do everything she can to survive what's coming for her. The characters are entertaining as well as a bit ridiculous. The story line keeps you on your toes wondering what's next. When the mysteries, secrets and emotions come to a head, sparks will literally and figuratively fly.

It’s 1803 and widowed aristocrat Sophy De Browarec must flee France after being exposed as an undercover British agent. Fearing for her life, she returns to Cornwall to seek help from the only living link to her past, Fitzwilliam ‘Fitz’ Ravensbourne.
Lord Ravensbourne has suffered his own share of misfortune and it’s left its mark in more ways than one. He has become a near recluse at the Ravensbourne Estate, but still reluctantly accepts Sophy into his home.
A wounded hero, a heroine fleeing for her life, spies & secrets everything I love in a book but although the book was written I didn’t connect with the main characters & I found them slightly two dimensional. I struggled with it at times & found myself skipping through pages until something happened. I did like that Fitz was a botanist which added a different slant
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Some scars aren’t visible on the outside. Sophy knows that all too well. Orphaned at eight, widowed at sixteen when her husband of a single day fell to the revolutionaries of France, she became a spy for the British and used her beauty and wits to survive. Now compromised, she must return home at last, to her not quite stepbrother, Lord Ravenscourt.

Fitz carries his scars on the outside, legacy of the terrible fire which killed his mother and left him badly burned and with a phobia of fire. Not even a candle can he bear, living his life in a cold darkness only Sophy has never seemed to mind. But she’s not the girl he remembers, sweet but scatter-brained; a decade teaching at a Swiss school has turned her into a coolly beautiful woman he can’t keep away from.

Except, of course, we the reader know Sophy was never in Switzerland at all. And it’s obvious a titanic showdown is coming when Fitz discovers the truth. Even so, I was shocked when after he did find out what Sophy had been doing, he accused her of having spent her life playing games; ten years as a spy in a hostile nation is the furthest thing from playing games I could imagine, and yet Sophy, for all her wit and courage, didn’t spit back at him for it.

I’d probably have let that one go because of Ibbotson’s thoughtful examination of how PTSD can be caused by and manifest in so many different ways, but she also hit on one of my pet hates; nobody writing anything set in France should ever have a hotel called ‘Hotel de Ville’, because that’s a specific term meaning ‘town hall’. It shows an unfortunate ignorance of France and a lack of research I can’t excuse, and therefore I have to knock this one down to four stars.

“The Marked Lord” brings us the debut novel of Sharon Ibbotson, and if you love being among the first to discover one of tomorrow’s well-known authors… then, friend, you need to go pick up this story right now.

While the story isn’t an overly long one, it is packed full of emotional punches, historical tidbits and the underlying feel of several genres all combined in a way that isn’t overpowering but feels right for the characters we are coming to know. If you enjoy Mystery or Suspense mixed in with your Romance you’ll find that almost immediately upon opening the book. Does a touch of Gothic Romance send shivers down your spine? Then you’ve certainly come to the right estate and the right Hero. Do you get lost in the little known or written about details of Historical Romance? Then you’ll witness a side to the battles between France and England with a slightly different viewpoint. I’m no expert, I’m simply a reader with a blog, but I would not consider “The Marked Lord” to be a typical debut novel, and that only encourages me to watch for Ms. Ibbotson’s next story.

The cover description really gives you the basics of what you need to start on this adventure, and I don’t want to take away from your discovery of the surprises along the way by saying too much. I got caught up easily in Sophy’s and Fitz’s story, their eventual romance. It’s difficult to not get emotionally involved with them for they have both faced such heartbreak in their lives.

I would not hesitate to recommend “The Marked Lord” to any reader who enjoys touches of mystery, suspense, a puzzle to solve and watching two people fight their demons and fall in love. I believe you’ll enjoy yourself in this world, as I did, and discover another author to add to your follow list.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This had a tense beginning and an action filled ending but there were parts in between that were quite slow. There seemed to be an amount of self analysis by Sophy and Fitz. They both had a tragic background and even though they had been apart for a good number of years, they still held deep feelings for each other. There were a number of complications to hinder this, including the mystery man coming for Sophy. Overall, it was a worthwhile read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sophy Honeywell De Browarec has fled France after being exposed as a British spy. The one place she knows can hide is Ravensbourne Estate, home of the man that was going to be her stepbrother.

When Sophy was eight, her mother fell in love with Fitzwilliam Ravensbourne's father. Unfortunately, Sophy's mother died days before the wedding and Fitz's father raised her. Since Fitz was badly burned, he has become a near recluse surrounded by his beloved plants. Sophy was the one person that looked at him as a man, not a monster.


This is a book you don't want to put down until you are done. I loved the gothic romance with the tragically scarred hero and the spy who lost her first love in Revolutionary France. Both Fitz and Sophy carry a lot of baggage. Their relationship is tempestuous as they figure out how to love each other. I loved this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

Two broken souls will find a will to live and help each other through more hardships until they can get passed and devote themselves to each other.

A well-written and unique historical romance. I really enjoyed reading the Marked Lord by Ms. Ibbotson. Nicely done.

Sophy has known Fitzwilliam, Lord Ravensbourne since they were young. He was burned when he was a child and it left him scarred inside and out. Known as a monster to some, he has always been special to Sophy. She was sent to live in France when her mother died and became a spy for the British after her young husband was executed. Someone has found out about Sophy and her life is in danger. She returns to spend time with Fitz as he has always felt like home to her. He has no idea about Sophy's profession. When she arrives, she finds out that Fitz is engaged to a woman who needs refuge. When love blooms between Sophy and Fitz, there are too many secrets and ghosts to overcome. An enemy comes into their life with an agenda of his own. Will anyone live through this? It is a story of intrigue and second chances. I loved this story. It is more than a love story. It has spies and traitors. I received this book from Net Galley and Choc Lit for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

A quote:
“’Do you know? Only Sophy looks at me with open eyes. They are always free of idle curiosity; she never looks at me with guilt or pity. In twenty years, she is the only person who ever saw the man and not the scars.’”

A pleasant historical novel with a tortured, “horribly scarred hero”, who sees himself as “a monster in gentleman’s clothing”. Our reclusive hero is obsessed with his disfigurement and has reason to feel that way, given other people’s reactions. Fitz, Lord Ravensbourne, is an honorable, compassionate man, “a beast with a heart”, and unfortunately only a few people, one of them, Sophy, are able to glimpse his goodness.
Besides the wounded hero trope, there are a lot of layers I’ve enjoyed in this romance: the main characters childhood relation, Fitz’ unusual occupation (he’s a botanist; there’s some irony here, having “The Beast” surrounded by the beauty of the botanical world) and even Sophy’s, the hero’s sexual inexperience and his loneliness and the cast of secondary characters.
There was perhaps a bit too much description of feelings and emotions and what was going on in the MC’s minds and some needless melodrama, not necessarily unpleasant, but sometimes just dragging out the story.
(All quotes from ARC)

A disjointed, non-sensical story-line. Fitz was a totally non-credible lead character--he wouldn't let anyone see him, walked around in the dark, but knew the vicar's niece and was willing to meet with her and marry her...?! Then the "stepsister" Sophy...?! Basically the whole book talks about how unintelligent she was, but she was a successful spy for years?! Also, she realizes she has always been in love with Fitz. Just totally, unbeleivable. There was nothing romantic or redeeming about this story or these characters. The only thing I can say that is positive is that the author clearly spent a lot of time writing this and did her best to maintain the "strength" of the story from beginning to end.