⭐ 3.25
🌶️ 2.5
🥵 Spicy chapters: 4, 19, 25, 26, 29, 41
📚 Tropes/Themes: slow burn, historical, regency, reverse age gap, divorced fmc, trauma/healing, he takes care of her
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
💔 Triggers: DV, CA/neglect, miscarriage, dub-con

💬 This book was okay but it was kind of a struggle for me to get through. I think part of the issue is I've only attempted to read one other book in this series and I'm pretty sure that I dnf'd it. Along with that there are a lot of characters and I found it kind of hard to keep up with them. (Again, this may have been due to not reading the prior books in this series)

Caro's backstory is absolutely heart breaking (something for sensitive readers to be aware of) but I loved how she learned to trust Robert, and how he helped her heal. Their romance was sweet, and I especially loved the ending and what was included in their HEA.

I guess my biggest issue is that it just felt really long and I just struggled to connect with the characters or stay focused.

In 'The Secret Love of a Gentleman', Caro and Rob are not the archetypical 'Regency Ton' couple, for many reasons, including a disparity in their ages. Caro has fled a troubled marriage and now survives as a dependent of her brother, Drew. Rob is a younger son who is desperate to make his way in life, and he lives in the shadow of his elder step-brother John, the Duke of Pembroke.
In common with some of the main characters in the 'Marlowe Intrigues', Caro is a victim of abuse. Her story is sad and colours her future life. Many of Rob's problems derive from low self-esteem. He is not an arrogant, alpha hero. Nevertheless, he possesses many fine qualities, such as intelligence, loyalty and respect for women, which were uncommon in Regency society, making him a likeable hero.
The plot has enough twists to make it engaging, and Caro's former husband is a well-written antagonist. The secret antagonist in the story is the inner battle; both Caro and Rob fight to justify their feelings and actions. There is plenty of overt action to accompany the internal battles and a real flavour of the two sides of Regency society.
Familiar characters from other stories in the series make frequent appearances, so this book is easy to read as a standalone. I enjoyed the characters, plot and vivid details in this original historical romance series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

What a remarkable story arc for Caroline. I loved that she slowly came out of her shell and found love in the process. The characters are beautifully written and the spice is excellent.

This one just didn't get me hooked for some reason. It could have been the writing style or something else, but I just couldn't get through it.

*"The Secret Love of a Gentleman**"
Marlow Intrigues #6
by Jane Lark

This enchanting Regency novel tells the story of Caroline Kilbride, a woman who courageously escapes an abusive marriage, seeking refuge in her brother's grand estate. In this tranquil setting, she encounters Robert Marlow, her sister-in-law's charming brother, who gradually inspires her to shed the emotional shackles of her past and embrace the possibility of a brighter future filled with untainted moments to cherish.

What I particularly appreciated about Caroline and Robert’s relationship is how it blossomed from a foundation of trust and unwavering emotional support. Caroline’s backstory is heart-wrenching, capturing the despair and resilience that accompany her journey towards healing. Robert's kindness acts as a balm to her troubled spirit, infusing their romance with a gentle yet palpable warmth. However, I found the plot's beginning a bit sluggish, and Robert's persistent reluctance to seek help from his family became somewhat tiresome as the story progressed.

The characters themselves are richly developed, bringing layers of depth to the story. Initially, I was a bit hesitant about Rob Marlow being a few years younger than Caroline, as this age difference can sometimes add an awkward dynamic. But as I delved deeper into the story, I realised that their connection transcended any societal norms, ultimately rendering the age gap insignificant.

This historical romance offers a delightful blend of unexpected twists and turns, evoking a range of emotions from smiles to heartbreak—all while presenting us with dashing heroes who remind us of the enduring power of love. The journey of Caroline and Robert is a testament to resilience, showing that even after experiencing profound pain, one can rediscover joy and love in the most unexpected places.

Searching for purpose...

I rather liked this book. In many ways, it reminded me of a Mary Balogh book.
Robbie is from a wealthy, titled family, but he is title-less and is search for his own path, perhaps in government. He meets the shy, always hiding Lady Caro. Caro is a divorcee (scandalous at the time) as her husband was abusive. She's dealing with her trauma by hiding out. Robbie is someone she never thought she'd meet. They are both quite young and new adulting in regency times.
Recommend.

An emotional reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The main protagonists, Caro and Rob, are lovely. The secondary characters, Caro’s brother and Rob’s siblings, are also charming and important in the plot. This story addresses some sensitive subjects. They are important in the plot, and the author was able to describe them subtly and delicately. There is a special connection between Caro and Rob. It comes from friendship and progresses slowly to love. I found this romance refreshing and its characters endearing.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5/5 stars
An unputdownable Regency romance filled with passion, redemption and the healing power of love.
Can he convince her to risk her heart again?
A past scandal and a broken heart have left Lady Caroline Kilbride hiding away from the world, in the safety of her brother’s home. But when a devilishly handsome newcomer arrives for the summer, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to him.
Rob Marlow, a man determined to carve his own path in life, never expected to be intrigued by his brother-in-law’s dependent sister. Yet in Caro he sees courage, intelligence and a spark of the woman she once was.
Friendship blossoms into something more passionate, but when the truth of Caro’s painful history resurfaces, will she retreat into the shadows or fight for her happy ever after?

Review:
This was again a good regency romance by Jane lark! I really like her books if I want a fun romance for inbetween!

Jane Lark's 'The Secret Love of a Gentleman' is an absorbing Regency romance that skillfully intertwines passion, redemption, and emotional complexity. As the third book in "The Marlow Family Secrets" series, it sweeps the reader through the journey of Lady Caroline Kilbride, a woman devastated by scandal and heartache in her history, fleeing the scrutiny of society.

Her reclusive existence is interrupted by the arrival of the gorgeous Rob Marlow. Initially suspicious, Caro finds herself drawn to Rob, a man who elects to see past her shrouded history to the intelligence and courage she harbors. Their blossoming friendship soon evolves into a passionate romance, but when Caro's dark history looms over her once more, the couple has to decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome social disapproval and personal fear.

The author is fantastic at crafting characters that feel awfully real, and Rob, a newly divine good guy and beyond-a-doubt sexy hero, is not an exception. The novel is sensorially rich and emotionally rewarding, with its potential to wring out readers' hearts and then provide a satisfying amount of healing and love. This is an unputdownable, engrossing read for anyone who enjoys steaming hot historical romance with true emotional substance.

I am still trying to decide how I feel about this book.
I have not read the previous books in the series. Would reading them help me like this book better? I’m not really sure.
I can say the pacing seemed a bit slow. Then, it seemed to speed up way too fast! Then, back to slow again.
And, the main female character drove me crazy. I realize she fled an abusive situation and I do feel for her.
The decisions made by all were just a bit “off.”
All in all, this was a ok regency style book that others may enjoy more than me.

Romance with complications

This is the first book I have read by Jane Lark but it will not be the last. Although it is the 3rd in a series, I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone. While it is a romance, it also presents the issues of women who have been married to abusive men and women who are divorced. Definitely worth reading.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Whilst Robert Marlow is spending the summer with his sister and brother-in-law, he meets the enigmatic, Lady Caroline Kilbride. That Caroline is frightened of something and hiding away in the country is obvious and Robert, intrigued by this beautiful young woman, is determined to bring her out of her shell and bring some warmth back into her life.. This is a beautifully described romantic novel with just enough spice to keep the passion alive. It's story of intrigue and danger, sly gossip and innuendo and yet is fuelled by a love story which will not be defeated by those who think that Robert and Caroline don't belong together.

This is the third book in the Marlow Family Secrets series and whilst it is possible to read as a standalone story, those readers of the previous books will be delighted to become reacquainted with the characters we have already met. It was especially interesting to meet with Andrew and Mary Marlow who featured so strongly in The Dangerous Love of a Rogue. I have enjoyed stepping once again into this Regency world which the author recreates so well and The Secret Love of a Gentleman is a delightful romantic read and a great continuation of the series.

Since its original publication in 2015 the book has now been recently re-published by Boldwood Books, with a delightful new cover.

This book needs a content warning for domestic violence. The cute illustrated cover doesn’t match the content at all. This reads like dark romance. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

BOOK: THE SECRET LOVE OF A GENTLEMAN
AUTHOR: JANE LARK
PUB DATE: JUNE, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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If you're looking for a fast, easy, cute, no drama romance, this is one for you. Once I started, I couldn't stop! It was engaging from the first page to the last. The storyline, characters, setting and pacing was perfect, loved it!
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The FMC, Caro was a divorcee, which is rare during that time. Her husband was abusive and she suffered from miscarriages. She was deeply traumatised and didn't deal well with men. It was really nice to see her move on with her life, seek closure and deal with her trauma. I liked the anazing people around her. I also loved that she got the HEA she deserved
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The MMC, Rob was amazing, one of my favorite MMCs ever, he was a even a virgin and never engaged in any vices. In addition to that, he had big dreams and was determined not to rely on his family status and wealth. I admired him and I liked him a lot. He was younger than the FMC too. He was a perfect man
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I liked the MC's relationship, it was very cute and it didn't happen at once. They were friends first before they got together. And I liked how both of them protected, worried and loved each other, especially Rob. They had a lot of chemistry too and a hint of forbidden romance.
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This book was anazing and I liked reading it. I would definitely recommend it

I did enjoy this story, although I did find the first half moved along at quite a slow pace. The second part had much more happening. Rob was such a lovely character and truly cared for Caroline. Caroline’s fear of trusting men was completely understandable, after her experience with her first husband. With Rob’s help, Caroline eventually started to mix in society. However, her ex-husband is also on the scene and is causing trouble. I enjoyed seeing how Drew ( Caroline’s brother) and Mary were progressing, along with their children. George was a poppet. This is an engaging series and I look forward to reading about more members of the family. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this book very realistic and original. This forced proximity – friends to lovers kept me up reading very late at night. The heroine’s traumatic story is treated seriously, not lightly but neither too dramatically. The hero’s journey into maturity is engaging and relatable. I truly enjoyed this reading and can’t wait to read more from the author.

The characters have a lot of depth. I liked Rob's introspection and reading his thoughts about himself. I enjoyed the antics of George as he adds humor to the story. Caro is a tragic heroine. This book is the first I've read in the series so it was easy to get lost with all of the family members which made it a little harder to understand who was speaking. A nice story with a happy ending.

It’s part of series there is 6 books in total and this one is 3rd one

A past scandal and a broken heart have left Lady Caroline Kilbride hiding away from the world, in the safety of her brother’s home. But when a devilishly handsome newcomer arrives for the summer, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to him.

Rob Marlow, a man determined to carve his own path in life, never expected to be intrigued by his brother-in-law’s dependent sister. Yet in Caro he sees courage, intelligence and a spark of the woman she once was.

Friendship blossoms into something more passionate, but when the truth of Caro’s painful history resurfaces, will she retreat into the shadows or fight for her happy ever after?

Caroline Kilbride is the talk of the ton. Shw divorced her abusive husband and is now hiding in her brother Drew's home. She obviously suffers from PTSD and has left over trauma from her physically abusive ex-husband. Here, she meets Robert Marlow, her brother's in law. Rob does everything in his power to show Caro kindness and wants to be her friend. As the friendship grows, so does their love for each other.
Caro and Rob are such sweet and adorable couple who, through healing, are able to open themselves to love. Sure, there are those who have stronf opinions about them two being together, there is even a duel involved. But, according to Caroline and Robert, love does conquer all.
Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

This book was not for me. I feel that Rob was disrespectful and didn't have enough compassion for Cora who was struggling with anxiety and PTSD. He was forceful and the entire story made me feel icky. Man saves woman trope without any of the heart and compassion that makes those stories loveable. I would not recommend.