Jenny's life is irreparably altered when her beloved father dies suddenly. When his will is read she discovers that his import/export business partnership contract stipulates his shares revert to his business partners unless Jenny's husband chooses to join the business. Accordingly, she and her mother will be practically penniless unless she can convince his business partners that she is getting married and find a willing patsy within a week.

Enter Erasmus Black, a handsome charming merchant with a roguish twinkle in his eye. But Erasmus is not what he seems and he has his own reasons for wanting to get close to Jenny's father's business partners.

This had a lot going for it, but maybe too much. Pirates, murder, brothels, attempted rape, slavery, the Ottoman Empire, kidnapping, an uncanny ability to detect lies - it felt there was so much going on that nothing really got developed properly and some things were unnecessary. With all these things going on we really don't get much of a feel for who Erasmus really is under all the pretence. I understand that Jenny is a character from one of the author's previous novels, which may explain why there is some extraneous detail that really isn't needed for the plot.

Overall, I d it but I didn't love it.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.2023-read abusive-ex adopted-orphan ...more1 Nenia ? I yeet my books back and forth ? CampbellAuthor 56 books19.9k Currently reading

Upcoming BR next week with my friend lacy ?1 Liviu2,347 657

Fun first person narration from Jenny Miller, the smart and talented daughter of a rich merchant, who needs to find a proper husband overnight after the sudden unexpected death of her father. Otherwise, her father's two partners including her seemingly benevolent godfather will get all the shares in the business and Jenny and her mother will be left with much less than they were accustomed too. Jenny has her dark secrets though and she manifests a remarkable aversion towards getting married, but when one has no choice, she decides to do the best possible and find a young man of the merchant class who would accept a marriage in name for a large share of the large wealth of her father. Enter Erasmus Black, a mysterious up and coming ship captain and possible adventurer with the handsome looks of his Greek mother and so it goes... Erasmus turns out to be even more mysteriouser so to speak, Jenny more talented and resourceful and the presumed villains even more villainous and the novel occasionally flirts with jumping the shark so to speak but it has energy and inventiveness galore so definitely worth reading2023_release_read mainstream read_2024 ...more2 s Carol Keogh (Goodfellow)253 6

London 1815. Jenny's father is dead. She needs to marry immediately to save her and her mother's livelihood.
A chance meeting presents the perfect candidate in the form of the enigmatic Erasmus Black. Gentleman, merchant, and if the rumours are to be believed, captain...

Having really d Rebecca Hardy's first book, I was happy to read and review The Merchant's Daughter. Jenny is the daughter of a wealthy shipping merchant and we have met her previously in the first book, she encounters Erasmus Black and the adventure begins. I loved these two characters, He is a mysterious sailor lately home from the sea and she is the quiet, timid girl who waits at home yearning for adventure.
This is an exciting tale of murder and evil doing beautifully combined with romance. There is something for everyone here. It is also a fascinating insight into the practice of slavery in Great Britain. The author has done her research well and writes with confidence and skill. I absolutely recommend this book. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of The Merchant's Daughter. Book Buddies696 15

The Merchant's Daughter is my second read by this author, and I love her style. I accidentally downloaded the sample, and on the hunt for my next book I checked it out. Two and 1/2 chapters and I was hooked.

Jenny and Erasmus are a business arrangement and a total mismatch on the surface, but as the layers of this entertaining mystery with a side of romance were peeled back it became clear they were made for each other. I confess I would have d a dash more chili pepper added to the romance, but I really enjoyed all of these characters and the way the author wove all their stories together. There were so many things happening it kept the storyline interesting and had me turning the pages well past bedtime.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to pick this one up...and then go find The House of Lost Wives, that one is a perfect compliment. I'll be keeping my eyes open for more from Rebecca Hardy!buddy-read Lyn1,280 9

This book was part mystery and part romance. After Jenny's father dies suddenly, she finds herself in urgent need of a husband. There is more to Jenny than meets the eye, she is brave, resourceful and able to detect lies. Her suddenly acquired husband is also talented and has a crew of clever people behind him. Together, they delve into the world of people slavery, and the people in England who are profiting from it. The ending was delightful, and I enjoyed the machinations of the mother. There was a lively cast of characters and this made for entertaining reading. I would to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for a copy to review. Linda Hillyer19


What a great story and writing.
I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book.
I had a feeling when Jacob Miller died, but didn't realize that it was both partners.
You should write a sequel to The Merchant 's Daughter.
I loved the interaction between Jenny, Erasmus and his crew from the ship.
Can't wait for next book. When will your next book be out?This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewgreat-author great-writing well-written ...more Annarella13.2k 143

Even if it's a bit slow at the beginning I thoroughly enjoyed it as the mix of romance, historical fiction and mystery works well and kept me reading.
There's a lot going, a clever heroine and a lot of twists and surprises.
I want to read other books by this author
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine CG Mix6

Excellent suspense

Outstanding storytelling encompassing details of 19th life with the insidiousness of the trade of women and the fight for the rights of all people to be free. I could not put the book down and read it in 1 day. I highly recommend it for its historical insight, developing characters, and twists and turns in the plot! Joan Grejtak53

I d this book immediately. I'm not really into romance stories but the bad boy /knight in shining armor image
of Erasmus got me hooked. I really historical reads and the author did a good job with the twists and turns and keeping you interested. I did skip a lot of descriptive paragraphs, which is why I gave it a 4. Roisin Thornhill67 3

An exciting preface to a possible series of books. I feel we have just scratched the surface of Jenny and Erasmus' story. Hardy has begun world building with colourful secondary characters that deserve a chance to tell their stories also. Sharon Stott Swapp4 1 follower

A very fun adventure

A very fun adventure. Probably not I'ma true adventure for that time period but very entertaining. A fun read when all the bad guys get what they deserve and the women involved got a lot of credit . First time I've read this author. I'm hooked. Carole81

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